Atalanta BC Vs. Napoli Predictions: Important Points Towards Scudetto

Atalanta striker Mateo Retegui, Serie A's interim top scorer this season. (photo: x @AtalantaBC_News)

JAKARTA - The big match will take place at Gewiss Stadium on Saturday night, January 18, Sunday morning WIB, when two of Serie A's top three teams, Atalanta BC and Napoli, are competing for three important points in the hunt for the Scudetto. Napoli, who just won the top spot from Atalanta, will seek revenge for their 3-0 defeat at home in the first meeting last November.

Atalanta BC will enter this match after a 1-1 draw against Juventus earlier this week in the Serie A postponed match. Despite managed to keep the league's record unbeaten in 15 league games, the result left them four points behind Napoli who are now leading the standings.

The match against Juventus marks the return of Mateo Retegui, Serie A's top scorer this season. The Italian international scored the equalizer after coming off the bench, increasing his tally to 13 this season. However, the draw extended Atalanta's trend of drawing in their last three league games.

Gewiss Stadium remains a strong bulwark for Atalanta. This season, they recorded seven wins and only one defeat in Serie A home game. In addition, La Dea have scored in their last 25 home league games, with an average of 2.5 goals per game.

Napoli, on the other hand, will come to Bergamo with high motivation. They just recorded a 2-0 win over Hellas Verona last week, extending their winning streak to five consecutive matches in Serie A. Antonio Conte's side has also recorded 12 clean sheets this season, the highest number among Europe's top five leagues.

Despite losing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia who joined Paris Saint-Germain, Napoli still has a sharp attack line. David Neres, who has shown impressive performance lately, is expected to support Romelu Lukaku up front. Lukaku himself has scored one goal and provided three assists in the last two games.

Atalanta BC coach, Gian Piero Gasperini, is likely to return to include Mateo Retegui in the starting XI after the striker scored an important goal against Juventus. However, Atalanta will miss Sead Kolasinac who was suspended, as well as Gianluca Scamacca and the injured Odilon Kossounou. Cuadrado, who has just recovered from injury, may be played off the bench.

Napoli coach Antonio Conte had to overcome the loss of Kvaratskhelia, but the presence of David Neres provided a solid alternative up front. Alessandro Burongiorno is still absent due to injury, so Juan Jesus will most likely return to a duet with Amir Rrahmani at the heart of defense. Mathias Olivera is also predicted to fill the left back position.

Although Napoli are in outstanding form and have an impressive away record, Atalanta's strength at home cannot be underestimated. This match is predicted to be tight, with both teams having a chance to score. However, Atalanta's success in the last two meetings against Napoli may give the hosts a psychological advantage.

Player Composition Forecast

Atalanta BC: Carnesecchi, Scalvini, Hien, Djimsiti, Bellanova, De Roon, Ederson, Rugeri, Pasic; Lookman, De Ketelaere

Napoli : Meret, Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Jesus, Olivera, Anguissa, Lobotka; Politano, McTominay, Neres, Lukaku

Final score prediction: Atalanta BC 2-2 Napol