Fresh off of a 3-0 Europa League playoff win over Olympiacos to punch their ticket to the round of 16, Atalanta host Sampdoria on Monday night at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo.
Atalanta may have advanced to the next round of the Europa League, but they are in poor form in Serie A. La Dea failed to win their last five Serie A matches.
Sampdoria are 15th in Serie A going into the weekend fixture. Just four points separate Sampdoria from the relegation zone. The Marassi-based side are coming off of a Serie A win against Empoli by a 2-0 score.
Coach Marco Giampaolo needs to lead the team to another win to give the club some breathing space in the race for Serie A survival. While Sampdoria are battling relegation, Atalanta are battling for Champions League qualification.
La Dea are fifth in the Serie A standings ahead of the weekend. Three points separate Atalanta from fourth-place Juventus. Juventus are likely to defeat Empoli at the weekend and Atalanta need to end their winless streak to keep pace with the Bianconeri.
Atalanta picked up just six points from the last 18 points available in the division. They scored eight goals and concede six goals across the last six matches in Serie A.
Sampdoria also picked up six points from the last 18 points in the Serie A. They scored seven goals and conceded five times across the last six matches.
Atalanta have not been very good at the Gewiss Stadium this season. They have a record of 3W-5D-4L at home with 20 goals scored and 18 conceded.
Sampdoria have an away record of 3W-2D-7L. They have been outscored on the road 17-13 this season in Serie A.
Giampaolo has three names on the Sampdoria injury list going into the game. Midfielders Stefano Sensi and Mikkel Damsgaard are both doubts due to leg injuries. Forward Manolo Gabbiadini has a knee injury and is a doubt to play.
Gian Piero Gasperini has five players on the injury list. Forward Luis Muriel is ruled out until March with a hamstring injury. Forward Duvan Zapata is suffering from a groin injury and will be out of action.
Defender Jose Luis Palomino is a doubt and forward Josip Ilicic is set to miss the game due to personal issues. Forward Alexey Miranchuk has a hamstring injury, but could be fit to play.
Although Atalanta are in poor form currently, they should claim a win over Sampdoria at home. La Dea are coming off of a Europa League win that could provide momentum for the rest of the Serie A season. The game should end with under 2.5 goals as Atalanta win to nil.