Atalanta-Empoli is a Serie A Week 27 match played on Friday at 20:45: odds, predictions, TV and streaming
With qualification for the next Champions League in jeopardy, the margin of error for Atalanta, stuck in sixth place, is significantly reduced from now on.
None of Atalanta’s direct competitors for a place in the top four won in the last round of the championship, but neither did Gian Piero Gasperini’s team, who faced a prohibitive game on paper at home to the overflowing Napoli. No one could hold a candle to the Azzurri, who prevailed 2-0 at the ‘Maradona’ thanks to Kvaratskhelia’s magic and Rrahmani’s winning header in the final. The Neapolitan expedition proved unsuccessful, and the gap in the standings between the Romans and the Milanese remained almost unchanged. Atalanta have six points less than Milan and behind them Juventus are starting to feel the breath on their necks: the Bianconeri, despite the heavy penalty of 15 points, are only -4. Beyond the defeat in Naples, which was all in all foreseeable, it is not a happy period for the Orobici. Since January, the Dea have lowered the engine revs after a brilliant start to 2023, obtaining only one victory in the last six days of Serie A, in which the missteps against Sassuolo, Lecce and Udinese stand out, all opponents within the Nerazzurri’s reach.
Empoli in freefall
Worries about the new involution of an attack that two months ago had begun to score consistently and instead remained dry against AC Milan, Udinese and Napoli.
Akpa Akpro
Gasperini’s tactical adjustments didn’t have the desired effect and Atalanta disappointed in terms of goals against the leaders. The chance to return to winning ways is given by the calendar, even though since February, de Roon and his team-mates have done badly in those matches that were apparently easy. Empoli is another team that keeps postponing the appointment with the three points: it seems that the Azzurri’s championship has stopped at San Siro, when on 23 January they got the better of Inter thanks to a magic shot by Baldanzi. Since then, the Tuscans have only collected three draws, and against Udinese, a week ago, came the third consecutive defeat. In any case, Paolo Zanetti’s team is not in danger of being involved in the fight for relegation. The physiological relaxation, however, was there. Empoli have only managed to conquer the Gewiss Stadium on one occasion in their last ten matches, coincidentally last season.
Atalanta-Empoli: latest line-up news
Gasperini tries to revitalise his team’s dull attack. Zapata should start again but has not trained this week and remains in doubt. Chance for Lookman, surprisingly excluded from the starting line-up against Napoli. The Nigerian is likely to be paired with Hojlund, while Pasalic should act behind them. In the middle there is Ederson in place of the injured Koopmeiners, while on the left flank the restored Zappacosta will take his place. In defence, Djimsiti is out.
Empoli are without their starting goalkeeper Vicario, who is struggling with a sore rib. On the right in defence it’s a ballot between Stojanovic and Ebuehi, Zanetti’s other doubt concerns the midfield, where Bandinelli could play again.
The prediction
If Atalanta want to get back in the Champions League race, they can’t slip up this kind of match anymore. This time the three points should come, but in the context of an unproductive challenge: even Empoli have been scoring with the dropper lately.
Atalanta v Empoli likely lineup
- ATALANTA (3-4-1-2): Musso; Toloi, Palomino, Scalvini; Maehle, de Roon, Ederson, Zappacosta; Pasalic; Lookman, Hojlund.
- EMPOLI (4-3-1-2): Perisan; Stojanovic, Ismajli, Luperto, Parisi; Akpa-Akpro, Marin, Bandinelli; Baldanzi; Caputo, Satriano.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-0
