Serie A Prepares for a Very Tasty Six-Pointer

Atalanta vs AC Milan

Six-pointers are always interesting affairs. This is especially true if the two sides involved are right next to each other on the table and the position they are fighting for means exciting football against the best teams in Europe.

This is exactly the situation for Atalanta and AC Milan as they prepare for what is set to be the biggest Serie A duel in the coming weekend. The final Champions League spot is at stake, and Milan must pull off a superb win on the road if they want to keep the other four clubs vying for their seat.

Atalanta will be a tough cookie to crack for the Rossoneri, however. Any team riding a wave of good form is hard to beat, and the Nerazzurri are riding a tsunami.

Talking Points

Anything’s possible for La Dea

The Stadio Atleti Azzurri are on a high as they find themselves fifth on the league table with still a lot of football to go. If they continue this fantastic run going, they could even see themselves finishing the season in third place.

The biggest result of their season so far is their Coppa Italia triumph over Juventus on January 31. The way they outplayed the Old Lady in the quarter-final puts a spotlight into the level of good work Gian Piero Gasperini has put on the squad as Duvan Zapata and Timothy Castagne scored the goals that saw the league leaders out of the tournament.

The key to their 11 league wins is the attack-heavy formation they have utilised throughout the season. Seventeen of the 23 league games they played saw the starting XI line up in a modified 3-4-3 formation, with Alejandro Gomez being the main creative force behind Zapata and Josip Ilicic.

And the returns for this attack-heavy formation saw La Dea with the highest number of goals scored in the league at 50. Zapata has thrived under Gasparini, his 16 goals already surpassing his tally at Sampdoria last season. Ilicic follows up with seven strikes to his name, and Gomez is a force of his own with his five goals and seven assists. Their overwhelming forte on the final third more than makes up for their defence which has let 31 goals through the net.

They will be hard-pressed to stop the Rossoneri‘s attacks, and that’s something Gasparini will be focusing on ahead of the match. He is more than confident that his lads can match Milan goal for goal, after all.

Atalanta are the slight favourites to win the Serie A game vs AC Milan — AC Milan coach Gennaro reacts during a matchattuso

Milan’s hunt to stay on top continues

Things aren’t as peachy as many of the San Siro faithful would have hoped for Milan. There are four clubs that can take their spot from them if they are not careful enough. However, many of them would prefer this problem over the mediocrity they have endured over the past couple of seasons.

They spent the last couple of seasons outside of Champions League football, unable to build a decent team that is deserving of Milan’s pedigree. They went through a couple of managers without success, the latest sacking being Vincenzo Montella.

Gennaro Gattuso seems to be the right man for the job as they finally turned things around. The former defensive midfielder has brought a lot of success to the team, guiding them to 10 wins and nine draws this season. Some of their more impressive Serie A 2019 results were against impressive competition such as Roma and Napoli.

Gattuso would need the rest of his team to step up if they want to stay on top. Suso must find ways to keep on scoring goals. Tiemoue Bakayoko must ensure that their backline stays resolute against Atalanta’s relentless attacks. Lucas Paqueta must also live up to the hype and bring in the goals.

Much is expected out of them, but the pressure is something the club more than welcomes. They will surely put up a good game.

History

The two giants have faced each other 39 times since 1993, and Milan have had the better fortune. They won 19 of their matches while Atalanta won only eight. However, it’s interesting to note that 12 of their games have ended in draws, and it is a testament to the resolute way La Dea has always played.

Their seven games don’t paint Milan in a good picture. Five of those were draws that saw neither team get the edge. The other two, meanwhile, were victories for Atalanta.

There’s nothing separating the two sides when it comes to recent form as they are both undefeated in five games. However, Milan drew two while Atalanta only split the points once. Moreover, it’s been more than two months since La Dea lost at home.

Betting Tip

	Atalanta vs AC Milan	Atalanta Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 2.47
	February 17, 03:30 (GMT+8)

As much as I would like to see Milan getting a point out of this game, I still see this match going Atalanta’s way. Taking down a Juve team that had Paulo Dybala and Cristiano Ronaldo is a testament to the level of play Gasperini’s men have displayed, and I believe they will take down Milan in what would be a scrappy affair.

I predict this game starting slow but finishing in a blaze: they will end the first half in a goalless draw, but three successive goals in the second half would see Atalanta come away as 2-1 winners. The Serie A 2019 odds at SBOBET agree with my prediction, but feel free to make your bets if you’re a passionate Milan ultra.