Udinese vs Atalanta
Third faces second in the Serie A match of the weekend when Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta visit Udinese at a packed Stadio Fruili on Sunday.
La Dea have been in and around the top four in the Italian league over the past few seasons and they have made another strong start; but there’s a new star shining brightly among the big boys chasing the Scudetto.
Udinese, led by Andrea Sottil, are the league’s surprise package so far and are on a six-match winning streak – including a 4-0 thumping of Jose Mourinho’s Roma and a 3-1 victory over 2021 Scudetto winners Inter Milan.
Atalanta have won five from the last six, coming into this game with back to back 1-0 wins over Roma and Fiorentina.
So, this is a meeting of two teams which are banging in form.
The latest Serie A 2022 betting odds rate Atalanta and Udinese fourth and eighth favourites to win the Scudetto at SBOTOP odds of 9.00 and 41.00. But if leaders Napoli fail to win at Cremonese, the winner of this Serie A clash will go top of the league.
Talking Points
Sottil is made for Udinese
The Zebretti’s Serie A 2022 results have been pretty useful to say the least and they certainly look like improving on last season’s 12th place finish.
Only leaders Napoli have scored more than Udinese’s 17 goals and anyone who thought the mighty Inter Milan could halt Udinese’s march was mistaken as Sottil masterminded a deserved victory as his team recovered from an early Nerazzurri strike to win 3-1.
Sottil has done the hard yards as a head coach, taking over at relegation-threatened Serie B side Ascoli in 2020, leading them to safety, and then to a play-off spot in 2021/22.
He left the club by mutual consent and landed in Udinese. And now his new team is scoring plenty of goals, winning games, and they will give one of the most attacking teams in Europe a test on Sunday.
Both Atalanta and Udinese play their football through the middle and are ranked 16th and 19th in the league in terms of crosses. But Udinese have scored six headed goals while Atalanta have just one.
Portuguese striker Beto is top scoring for the Zebretti with five goals and he will be the main threat to La Dea on Sunday.
Captained by Argentine midfielder Roberto Pereyra who has made four assists, this is a well-organised team with plenty of threat and Premier League fans will recognise former Everton winger Gerard Deulofeu, who has already made six assists this season.
Evolving Atalanta
Atalanta is in a period of gentle transition at the moment, but La Dea has serious aspirations for another Champions League place and even has its eye on the top spot after an impressive start to the campaign.
Gasperini took over at the Bergamo club in 2016 and has lifted them to new heights, winning three consecutive third places between 2019 and 2021 before slipping to eighth last season.
A year without European football is the ideal time to reset and, while established stars Luis Muriel and Duvan Zapata remain at the club, some newer names are making the headlines.
24-year-old Dutch midfielder Teun Koopmeiners is top scoring with four goals and Nigerian striker Ademola Lookman is improving week by week, scoring the winner against fierce rivals Fiorentina in Atalanta’s last outing.
With experienced pair Mario Pasalic and Ruslan Malinovskyi in midfield, there is still plenty of creative muscle in the side.
But defencively, La Dea seems to be more resolute. With Captain Rafael Toloi in the back four alongside Hans Haterboer – who has picked up four yellow cards – and centre-back pairing of Caleb Okoli and man mountain Girogio Scalvini, La Dea has conceded just one goal in four games.
History
There’s very little to choose between these two teams in the head-to-heads or recent form. Udinese have won 18 of the last 51 encounters while Atalanta have won 17 and there have been 16 draws.
This fixture last season was one to forget for the hosts as La Dea ran out 6-2 winners with Muriel leading the Atalanta charge with a brace.
Udinese have won three and drawn one of their four home games while Atalanta have won all four of their matches on the road.
Betting Tip
With Udinese at 2.54 to win, Atalanta at 2.64, and the draw at 3.11, this is a really tough game to call.
Both sides like to play on the front foot and, while Atalanta’s defence has been in fine form, they will each be on the hunt for three points and top spot.
I think that will make it an attacking game with plenty of goalmouth action and, for an alternative bet, a 2-2 draw is priced at 11.08.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT))
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
