Atalanta-Salernitana is a Serie A Week 18 match played on Sunday at 18:00: odds, predictions, TV and streaming.
Atalanta tasted the joy of three points again on Monday, defeating Bologna (1-2) in a comeback. After being trailing in the opening minutes, Gian Piero Gasperini’s side turned it around in the second half through Koopmeiners and Hojlund: the young Dane had also scored a few days earlier in the 2-2 draw in La Spezia and seems to be climbing the pecking order – and quite quickly too.
In this 2023 Dea specialised in ‘recoveries’: in Liguria more or less the same thing had happened, although in that case the goals to be recovered were two and the Nerazzurri had to settle for a draw. Important, however, was the return to victory, which had been missing since last October. Having dispelled the dross of a bad November, in which only defeats came, Atalanta are ready to resume their race towards Europe. The victory in the capital of Emilia has allowed Gasperini to catch up with the two Romans in the standings: Lazio, Roma and Dea are now all on 31 points, with the Champions League zone just three points away. But only the home match against Salernitana will tell if the difficult period is finally behind them, and Atalanta will have to avoid what would be their fourth defeat in a row in front of their own fans: the Bergamasks are in fact 15th in terms of home performances.
Dea still unbeaten against Campania
The Granatas, meanwhile, will be attempting something they have never managed in the past, at least in the top flight: beating La Dea, who are unbeaten in their four previous meetings with the Campani in Serie A.
Vilhena
David Nicola’s Granata come from a 1-1 draw at the Arechi against Torino – Vilhena replied to Sanabria – which broke a three-game losing streak. The three points have been missing since last 30 October with the unexpected success at home to Lazio, but since then Salernitana have not been able to reach those peaks. In small steps, however, Candreva and his team-mates are putting those points on the board that are needed for a quiet salvation. A goal – obtained not before the last day last year – that at the moment seems within reach: the relegation zone is nine points away.
Atalanta-Salernitana: latest line-up info
Atalanta’s attack could see Hojlund back in the starting line-up in preference to former Leicester man Lookman. There is also likely to be a change in the back three, where Ederson – a former player – looks likely to take Pasalic’s place. Gasperini’s other doubts mainly concern the external lanes, where Hateboer and Zappacosta should play, with Ruggeri and Maehle as possible alternatives in the match. Finally, the usual three-man defence will consist of Toloi, Demiral and Palomino. Muriel is still unavailable.
On the other side, Nicola must do without Maggiore and Mazzocchi, who are injured, as well as the disqualified Daniliuc. The central defender’s place will be taken by Radovanovic. In the middle, however, Coulibaly returns after the Nicolussi Caviglia experiment, thrown into the fray as soon as he arrived from Sudtirol. Up front more Piatek than Bonazzoli.
The prediction
Atalanta are favourites, but at home – following a trend that has been going on since last year – the Bergamasks are strangely struggling. And they are not to be trusted 100%. It is likely to be a prolific afternoon at the Gewiss Stadium, between two teams that have found goals with some consistency in recent days. Salernitana also concede a lot (apart from the excellent Ochoa, who was fundamental against AC Milan and Toro): the Campania side have conceded 16 in eight matches.
Atalanta v Salernitana: possible line-ups
- ATALANTA (3-4-1-2): Musso; Toloi, Demiral, Palomino; Hateboer, de Roon, Koopmeiners, Zappacosta; Ederson; Zapata, Højlund.
- SALERNITANA (3-5-2): Ochoa; Bronn, Radovanovic, Fazio; Candreva, Coulibaly, Bohinen, Vilhena, Bradaric; Dia, Piatek.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1