Atalanta have no choice but to try and win this game having lost last three Serie A matches, with Orobici hoping their good record against Parma (4-3-0 in last seven games) will continue. Il Ducali, on the other hand, arrive in Bergamo in good spirits despite the fact their excellent showing against Lazio was not properly rewarded.

Three-match losing run

After top Italian clubs expressed interest in club’s key players following a very successful last season, Atalanta were tipped to cash in on their stars and fight for their lives in Serie A. However, the club chiefs resisted the temptation and kept the entire squad together, while adding few more quality players in the summer. Such a decision helped Orobici enjoy a bright start to the season that saw them climb to the top half of the standings, although the team have since suffered a small dip in form. In spite of three successive defeats, Atalanta remain six points clear of the bottom three, but everybody at the club is aware the team need to return to winning ways as quickly as possible. This is why we can expect the hosts to attack Parma from the off, and scoring goals against the team that conceded 15 in 8 away games should not be a problem, especially with Moralez and Denis up front.

Guglielmo Stendardo misses out through suspension, whereas Fereira Pinto, Davide Biondini, Guido Marilungo and Daniele Capelli are out injured.

Parma improving on the travels

Parma are another team that have been showing a lot of promise over the last couple of years and they have become extremely hard to beat. This is not due to the fact that Roberto Donadoni’s side play defence-minded football, but just the opposite, il Ducali tend to adopt a positive approach both home and away, which means the opposition usually need to score two or three goals in order to win. Parma may have won just one of eight away games this season, but nobody can afford to underestimate them after il Ducali completely outclassed very good Lazio side at their Olimpico. With Roberto Donadoni’s side very motivated to make amends for what was an undeserved defeat, we should see a very interesting game in Bergamo. The attacking trio of Bibiany, Amauri and Sansone is likely to prove a handful for Atalanta defenders.

Daniele Galloppa remains the only unavailable player, while Yohan Benalouane and Aleandro Rosi are vying for the right-back spot.

Verdict

With the three-match losing run hanging over their heads, Atalanta will give their best to score a couple of goals and put this tie beyond doubt as early as possible. That will be no easy task, given that Parma will not be afraid to attack their opponents. Therefore, we could easily see goals galore at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia.

Top pick: Over 2.5 goals   2.15 (23/20) @ Coral

Alternative pick 1: Both teams to score   1.91 (10/11) @ William Hill

Alternative pick 2: Home win   2.38 (11/8) @ 888sport