In a revamped match scheduled for early December, Luca Gotti’s men host visitors who have won seven of their last 10 matches in all competitions.
The first attempt to level the set-up was postponed last month due to a flooded pitch. After 3 inspections of the pitch, huge puddles of water all over the pitch at Stadio Friuli convinced those responsible to postpone the assembly to a later date.
Perhaps only another timely intervention from the weather can save struggling Udinese this time around, as Atalanta have reached top gear in the intervening period – though they did surprisingly draw a rare blank against Genoa last weekend.
La Dea failed to break through Grifone’s heavily advanced defence in a goalless draw, in a display of unusually futile attack that thwarted the fair action of the Ligurians’ rearguard.
A total of two shots on goal even more unexpected given that Atalanta had scored 18 goals in their last six games, an impressive average of 3 per game.
Returning to the fluid retirement of their recent past, Gian Piero Gasperini’s men have been losing since the end of November and are in sixth position in the standings. Last week they also qualified for the quarterfinals of the Coppa Italia, beating Cagliari 3 softly. -1.
With games against Milan and Lazio next up in their Serie A schedule, Wednesday night could prove the perfect opportunity to pick up three more points to stay in the top-four hunt.
Udinese captain Rodrigo De Paul gave his side the lead against Sampdoria last week, as the Friuliani looked to finally end a horrific run of form, but ultimately they left Genoa without even a point after conceding Antonio Candreva’s ‘Panenka’ spot-kick and a devastating late Ernesto Torregrossa header.
After that seventh successive failure, the rumoured Liverpool and Real Madrid target revealed that he put “no limits” on his long career, an inevitable but unwelcome reminder to his manager that the inspirational captain has an eye on the door.
Now, firmly clinging to his position, Gotti will need all the help he can get from veteran stars like De Paul, as his side are just three points clear of the relegation zone and will face the league’s most prolific teams, Atalanta and Inter Milan, before the end. Of the month.
Gotti, Maurizio Sarri’s former assistant at Chelsea, wants to find a way to reconfigure his plethora of attacking options. After shuffling a wide variety of opportunities throughout the season, none have convinced a team with just 19 goals scored to date, one of the least effective attacks on the most sensible flight.
Facing an Atalanta offensive unit that is now reaching its most productive level, Udinese will have to break not only their desperate winless streak, but also a losing streak against the Bergamaschi that stretches back to five league games.
Udinese Serie A form: DLLDLL
Atalanta BC Serie A form: WDWWWD Atlanta BC form (all competitions): DWWWWD
Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini is increasingly talented and is expected to return to the stalwart Matteo Pessina to back up former Udinese striker Duvan Zapata, with Ruslan Malinovskyi on the bench. Cristian Romero is also expected to succeed. José Luis Palomino in central defense.
Midfielder Mario Pasalic is the big doubt for Wednesday; in any case, the four midfielders of Atalanta’s 3-4-2-1 form a solid unit, with the indefatigable duo Hans Hateboer and Robin Gosens on the flanks and Marten de Roon and Remo Freuler. occupying the center.
Luca Gotti has to contend with a significant injury list for Udinese, with Mato Jajalo and Ignacio Pussetto out for the season, plus Stefano Okaka, Fernando Forestieri, Sebastian Prodl and Bram Nuytinck still unavailable.
Gerard Deulofeu returned to the dugout at the weekend and is likely to play at some point, with Roberto Pereyra and star Rodrigo De Paul betting on hapless lone striker Kevin Lasagna.
Udinese possible starting lineup:Musso; Bonifazi, Becao, Samir; Larsen, De Paul, Arslan, Mandragora, Zeegelaar; Pereyra; Lasagna
Atalanta BC imaginable starting lineup: Gollini; Toloi, Romero, Djimsiti; Hateboer, De Roon, Freuler, Gosens; Pessina, Miranchuk; Shoe
The gulf of trust between the two groups will hardly be greater, as one of Calcio’s attacking forces visits one of the coldest.
Although Udinese are rarely impressed by their opponents, Zebrette can’t really hold off Zapata, Ilicic and corporate for a full 90 minutes, and actually has to suffer another miserable defeat.
Our research of all available data, aggregating recent performances and player stats up to one hour before kick-off, has suggested that the most likely final result of this match is an Atalanta BC win with odds of 68. 28%. an odds of 18. 4% and a Udinese win had a probability of 13. 34%.
The maximum probable score for Atalanta BC to win 0-2 with odds of 10. 99%. The next probable maximum scores for this final outcome were 0-1 (9. 76%) and 1-2 (9. 74%). probably draw 1-1 (8. 65%), while Udinese will win 1-0 (3. 84%). The actual outcome of 1-1 was predicted with a probability of 8. 6%.