Sassuolo vs Atalanta: Preview and Prediction

Sassuolo vs Atalanta
2016/17 Italian Serie A.
Date: Sunday, 6th November 2016
Kick-Off: 14:00 UK,
Venue: Stadio Citta del Tricolore (Reggio Emilia).

A high-flying Atalanta will look to capitalize on Sassuolo’s less than impressive form when they travel to take on the Neroverdi this Sunday.

La Dea have been in excellent form as of late. They’ve won five out of their last six games, and come into this game having won four and draw the other in their past five league fixtures. This good run has seen them work their way up the table into a solid sixth place with 19 points. And with Napoli and Lazio, who are in 5th and 4th respectively set to lock horns on Saturday, Atalanta could actually head into the international break close to a Champions League berth.

What makes Atalanta’s run even more notable is the fact that they are starting to tighten things up at the back. The Nerazzurri have kept clean sheets in the overwhelming majority of their past crop of fixtures and that included games against teams like Napoli and Fiorentina. In fact, out of their last five matches, they shut out their opponents in four of them. The only team to breach their defense was Inter, and even that, the fallen Milan giants were on the wrong end of a 2-1 score-line.

Meanwhile, featuring on two fronts appears to be a bit too much for Sassuolo. Eusebio Di Francesco’s side, who are now no longer the Serie A new-boys, finished in sixth last season. That impressive feat gave them a chance to play in Europe for the first time in their entire history. But despite a successful play-off round, it appears it has caught up with them. Sassuolo, for a lack of a better word, look worn-out and frustrated. The absence of key man Domenico Berardi certainly has not helped matters, either, as well as other stars.

Without the depth, the team have struggled. They are winless in their last five across all competitions and ended up throwing away two points by drawing 2-2 with Rapid Wien this past Thursday. What impact will that have on the hosts as they take on a very confident Atalanta side?

Sassuolo vs Atalanta: Head-to-head statistics

• Sassuolo have won six, drawn seven, and lost seven out of their last 20 home games against teams ranked higher than them in the table.
• Atalanta have won four, drawn six, and lost 10 out of their last 20 away games against teams ranked below them in the table.
• Sassuolo have won just two out of their last 10 meetings with Atalanta (three draws, five losses).
• La Dea have won five out of their last six Serie A games.
• Discipline could be an issue here, two out of the last three clashes between Sassuolo and Atalanta have seen both teams have a man sent off.

Sassuolo vs Atalanta: Prediction

Atalanta can move further up the table and further consolidate a European spot with a win against Sassuolo, and they are looking like the major favourites to do so. La Dea have the historical advantage here, having lost just two out of their past 10 meetings with the Neroverdi. They are also on that five-match unbeaten run, with wins in four. And beating teams like Napoli and Inter will do wonders for any side’s confidence. Expect the visitors to come out on top on this one.