Atalanta BC play host to an inconsistent Fiorentina side on Sunday, with the hosts only separated from the top spot in Serie A by goal difference ahead of the eighth round.
Before the international break, the hosts had won five of their first seven matches and remained unbeaten, while the visitors experienced a tough September but at least ended it with a win.
After riding their luck at times to emerge from Stadio Olimpico with a valuable victory, Atalanta saw off Roma last time out through a goal from Giorgio Scalvini in the 35th minute.
That victory saw La Dea move onto 17 points from their first seven Serie A matches, and in the club’s history they have never reached 20 before their ninth game of a top-flight campaign.
Should they manage to do so by defeating Fiorentina on Sunday, it will be a well-drilled defensive line that has taken them to such heights, as Atalanta have conceded the fewest goals in Italy this season, with three so far.
Atalanta may have won each of their last four away matches without even conceding a goal, but they have prevailed just once in their last nine home games – drawing five times – which means they can take nothing for granted on Sunday.
Not only have La Dea struggled for fluency on home turf this year, but Fiorentina arrive in Bergamo having also won both of the teams’ last two league meetings.
In addition, Vincenzo Italiano’s side are unbeaten in eight of their last 10 matches at the Gewiss Stadium – winning five times – against no other opponents have they had as much success away from home during the same period.
Fiorentina ended a winless run of five matches when hosting Hellas Verona just before the international break, a contest which they eventually won 2-0.
Atalanta BC vs Fiorentina head to head
These two teams have previously met on 51 occasions across all competitions, where Atalanta have claimed 12 victories while Fiorentina have won 22, and they have drawn in 17. Fiorentina have scored 81 goals and conceded 59. In their last five meetings, Atalanta have won two while Fiorentina have won three.
Atalanta 3-0 Fiorentina 13/12/20
Fiorentina 2-3 Atalanta 11/04/21
Atalanta 1-2 Fiorentina 11/09/21
Atalanta 2-3 Fiorentina 10/02/22
Fiorentina 1-0 Atalanta 20/02/22
Atalanta BC latest home form
Atalanta have recently been on a good run of form at home, having been unbeaten in their five most recent matches. They played out a 1-1 draw with Cremonese in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored 21 goals and conceded just four.
Atalanta 12-1 Gambarogno – Contone 16/07/22
Atalanta 4-0 Como 23/07/22
Atalanta 1-1 AC Milan 21/08/22
Atalanta 3-1 Torino 01/09/22
Atalanta 1-1 Cremonese 11/09/22
Atalanta BC latest away form
Atalanta have recently been on a good run of form on the road, as they have won each of their four most recent matches. They managed to defeat Roma 1-0 in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored seven goals and conceded two.
Valencia 2-1 Atalanta 06/08/22
Sampdoria 0-2 Atalanta 13/08/22
Verona 0-1 Atalanta 28/08/22
Monza 0-2 Atalanta 05/09/22
Roma 0-1 Atalanta 18/09/22
Fiorentina latest home form
Fiorentina have recently been on a good run of form at home, as they have been unbeaten in their 11 most recent matches. They managed to defeat Hellas Verona 2-0 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored six goals and conceded three.
Fiorentina 2-1 Twente 18/08/22
Fiorentina 0-0 Napoli 28/08/22
Fiorentina 1-1 Juventus 03/09/22
Fiorentina 1-1 Rigas FS 08/09/22
Fiorentina 2-0 Verona 18/09/22
Fiorentina latest away form
Fiorentina have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having lost each of their three most recent matches. They lost 3-0 to Istanbul Basaksehir in their last away game in the Europa Conference League. In their last five matches, they have scored one goal and conceded six.
Empoli 0-0 Fiorentina 21/08/22
Twente 0-0 Fiorentina 25/08/22
Udinese 1-0 Fiorentina 31/08/22
Bologna 2-1 Fiorentina 08/09/22
Istanbul Basaksehir 3-0 Fiorentina 15/09/22
Atalanta BC news
Davide Zappacosta sustained a muscular injury in a practice game during the international period, adding onto Atalanta’s absence list and now remains a major doubt for this week’s game.
Defensive pair of Berat Djimiti and Jose Luis Palomino are also unavailable, along with first-choice goalkeeper Juan Musso and striker Duvan Zapata.
Fiorentina news
Fiorentina’s defence has been boosted by the return Igor, who was previously suspended for receiving a late red card against Bologna.
Luka Jovic has had just 16 touches in the opposition box since moving to Serie A in the summer, but competes with Christian Kouame to feature in the front three.
Prediction and Odds
While Fiorentina will be looking to bounce back from defeat away from home and get back on track, they have been far from convincing so far this season.
Atalanta’s standing has been aided by a kind fixture list but they can overcome their opponents and a dismal home record throughout 2022.
Odds: 1 2.22 X 2.02 2 2.30
Probable outcomes
Atalanta 1-0 Fiorentina
Atalanta 2-0 Fiorentina
Atalanta 2-1 Fiorentina
Atalanta 3-2 Fiorentina
Atalanta 1-1 Fiorentina
