Serie A: Can Atalanta Pull Napoli Back Down to the Pack?

Atalanta vs Napoli

The surprising top two teams in Serie A this season are set for a massive showdown at the summit as second-placed Atalanta host leaders Napoli.

The Neapolitans finally tasted defeat for the first time this season in midweek against Liverpool. But they remain unbeaten in Serie A and are currently riding an eight-game winning streak.

Another win for Napoli against Atalanta would send them eight points clear at the top of the Serie A standings, which would be a massive advantage to take to the looming World Cup break.

Atalanta have not been at their best at home this season, but do not discount La Dea’s Serie A 2022 odds of upsetting the leaders and pulling them back down to the chasing pack.

Talking Points

Atalanta punching above their weight once again

As surprising as Napoli’s rise to the top of the Serie A standings has been, Atalanta’s has been right up there in terms of shock value.

After years of overachieving, La Dea seemed to be on their way down after a disappointing 2021-22 season where they finished a distant eighth.

But Gian Piero Gasperini has gone out and done it again as he has reinvented this Atalanta side. Once one of the most prolific goalscorers not just in Italy but in Europe, Atalanta are now a rugged defensive side that has conceded just eight goals thus far (tied for the second-best defensive record in Serie A behind only Juventus).

Striker Duvan Zapata continues to decline – he has yet to score in six appearances this season – while fellow Colombian Luis Muriel has just one in nine.

But Ademola Lookman and Teun Koopmeiners have taken on the goalscoring mantle as they’ve combined for nine of the team’s 18 goals.

Lookman is in particularly impressive form as he’s scored four of his team-leading five goals in the last five games, including their 2-0 away win over Empoli.

Atalanta have a much better record away from the Gewiss Stadium thus far. They are unbeaten in six away games, with five wins and a draw, while they have won just three of their six home games, with two draws and a loss at home to Lazio, their lone defeat of the season.

Napoli undefeated no more

Napoli’s tremendous undefeated run to start the season finally came to an end as they lost 2-0 to Liverpool at Anfield in their Champions League group finale.

Although they had effectively sealed top spot in the group already, Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti still opted to play a strong side against Liverpool. But the Neapolitans were just not at their sharpest.

Napoli will now look to get back to winning ways in Serie A, where they remain unbeaten and are on an eight-game winning run. That includes big away wins against Lazio, reigning champions AC Milan, and Roma, who are all currently in the top five.

Osimhen adds even more offensive production

And as if Napoli haven’t had enough attacking firepower this season with the likes of breakout star Kvitcha Kvaratskhelia, Giacomo Raspadori, and Giovanni Simeone, Victor Osimhen has finally joined the party.

The Nigerian, who had a slow start to the season in part due to injury, is now back to providing Serie A 2022 highlights. He has scored five goals in his last three Serie A matches, including a terrific hat-trick against Sassuolo last time out. Osimhen is now tied with Marko Arnautovic for the Serie A lead with seven goals.

Midfield playmaker Piotr Zielinski and winger Hirving Lozano were both rested against Liverpool, but they are likely to return to the starting lineup against Atalanta. Lozano has a good record against Atalanta, with three goals in seven matches.

History

The head-to-head record between Napoli and Atalanta is quite close. Napoli hold a very slight 12-10 edge in terms of wins, with five draws over their last 27 Serie A matches. But Atalanta have a 2-1 advantage when it comes to Coppa Italia wins, with one draw.

Last season, the away team won on both occasions. First, Atalanta beat Napoli 3-2 at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in a roller-coaster match. And Napoli returned the favour as they went into Gewiss Stadium and won 3-1.

Betting Tip

Despite being away from home, SBOTOP odds still have Napoli installed as significant 2.08 favourites to beat Atalanta, who are priced at 3.35 against the leaders. A draw is 3.45.

There has been just one draw between Napoli and Atalanta in their last 14 matchups, and I don’t expect a draw in their top-of-the-table duel, either. Instead, I’m expecting Napoli to bounce back from their midweek disappointment to beat their nearest challengers. With the likes of Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia in fine form and so much more in reserve, they should have too much for their hosts, who have not been as good on home soil.

 

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