Atalanta vs AC Milan: Preview and Prediction

Atalanta vs AC Milan
2016/17 Italian Serie A.
Date: Saturday, 13 May 2017
Kick-Off: 19:45 UK,
Venue: Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia (Bergamo).

Atalanta will be able to secure their spot in the Europa League with at least a point against AC Milan on Saturday.

La Dea will hope to take advantage of the Diavolo’s indifferent form as they welcome a familiar opponent to Bergamo. As they continue to soar, Milan continue to flounder. Perhaps the Rossoneri actually don’t want to feature in the Europa League next term after all, as sixth place will mean that the dreaded play-offs start in July. Perhaps, indeed, Milan are just looking to write this campaign off and focus on next season, at the end of which four Italian sides will get to feature in the Champions League.

Whatever their reasons for their sudden downturn in form, it nonetheless is a rather disturbing turn of events considering that they were third in the table heading into the Christmas break. Milan have lost back to back home matches, including a 4-1 crushing at the hands of Roma.

More disconcerting is their away record as of late. Vincenzo Montella’s side have managed just draws against the likes of Pescara and Crotone. Two points out of a possible six against relegation candidates is not acceptable for a team of Milan’s caliber, and they could face a very tough task against Atalanta, who have been quite strong at home.

La Dea managed a 2-2 draw with Juventus at this ground, and have beaten Roma, Napoli, and Inter on home turf. They’re unbeaten at their home ground in 2017 and have won 11 matches at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia. Meanwhile, Milan have won just six out of their 17 road ties across all competitions, including defeats to Napoli, Roma, and Juventus both in the Coppa Italia and in Serie A.

Atalanta vs AC Milan: Head-to-head statistics

• Atalanta have a record of W14-D4-L2 in their last 20 home games against teams ranked below them in the table.
• Milan have a record of W2-D6-L12 in their last 20 away games against teams ranked above them in the table.
• La Dea are undefeated in their last 9 home matches.
• Milan have drawn their last 3 away matches.
• Atalanta and Milan haven’t drawn in the last five league games at Bergamo, with three wins for the Rossoneri and two for the Nerazzurri.
• Atalanta are unbeaten in the last seven Serie A games, in which they’ve won three times and drawn four.
• La Dea have lost only one of the last six Serie A games against Milan (W3, D2).

Atalanta vs AC Milan: Prediction

All signs point to a win for Atalanta here. La Dea are very keen to secure their spot in the Europa League to wrap up an excellent season. Milan, by contrast, appear not to really have much motivation towards moving themselves up the table. Given that Atalanta have lost just one out of their last six meetings with Milan, and the fact that they have a strong home record, La Dea should be able to pick up all three points on Saturday.