Atalanta aim to continue the impressive run of results and prove everyone they deserve to be in the top half of the standings, whereas Parma desperately need to end the five-match winless run in order to escape the Serie A danger zone. While il Ducali were in action in midweek, Atalanta had a full week to prepare for this clash.

Orobici continue to impress

Atalanta were very unfortunate to be slapped with a six-point penalty immediately upon their return to the top flight, which was the main reason why they were seen as one of the main candidates for the drop. Nevertheless, some shrewd transfer dealings and the arrival of quality players such as Gabbiadini, Lucchini, Moralez, Denis and Cigarini, together with some fresh talent from the best youth academy in Italy, allowed coach Stefano Colantuono to build a very good side that quickly erased the six-point penalty and started climbing the Serie A standings. The Orobici managed to show a lot of consistency for a team that had been assembled last summer, and thanks to some impressive performances they are now on the verge of climbing to the top half of the table. If it hadn’t been for the aforementioned punishment, Atalanta would now sit in 7th place and would be fighting for European places. The team are brimming with confidence before the Parma clash, having brought one point from Friuli, and following the 4-1 win over Roma in their last home game, the team from Bergamo have every reason to hope for another home victory.

Important players Maxi Moralez and Federico Peluso return from suspension, but Stefano Lucchini and Daniele Capelli remain sidelined.

Problems for Parma

Parma are another side that boast a very good squad on paper, but the team look unable to realize their undoubted potential. Franco Colomba was sacked midway through the season because he was unable to get the maximum out of his players, but new boss Roberto Donadoni doesn’t seem to be doing any better. Il Ducali are winless in their last five games and recorded just two victories in last 16, so it is more than clear they need a morale-boosting victory in order to return to the right track. Following the home defeat to Napoli, Parma were on the verge of another home setback as they were losing to Fiorentina in midweek, but Sebastian Giovinco scored a late penalty to salvage one point for il Ducali. Unless Parma show a considerable improvement in Bergamo they will not be able to match in-form Atalanta, so everything suggests the poor run is set to continue.

Parma have three important absentees at the moment, with Sergio Floccari, Raffaele Palladino and Massimo Gobbi all out through injury.

Verdict

Atalanta are playing great football at the moment and after holding title contenders Udinese to a goalless draw at Friuli, they can be trusted to beat out-of-form Parma. Il Ducali are completely out of confidence and they will find it hard to match very good Atalanta side.

Our prediction: Home win

Odds: 2.15 (23/20)

Bookmaker: 888sport