Atalanta vs Napoli
Coppa Italia
Date: Wednesday, 10 February 2021
Kick-Off at 19.45 UK
Venue: Gewiss Stadium, Bergamo.
After holding Napoli to a goalless draw at Stadio Diego Maradona, Atalanta will be looking to book their place in the Coppa Italia final when they welcome the Neapolitans at their Gewiss Stadium.
The Orobici dropped a three-goal advantage in a 3-3 draw with Torino at the weekend, meaning that they can’t afford any more complacency.
As always, a man to watch in the home team will be Josip Ilicic, who has been playing key role in Gian Piero Gasperini’s team ever since Papu Gomez left the club.
Napoli are likely to adopt yet another cautious approach, but seeing that Atalanta have turned their Gewiss Stadium into a real fortress, we predict that the visitors are going to return home empty-handed.
Hateboer and Sutalo are injured for the hosts, while Manolas and Mertens remain sidelined for the visitors. Both Ghoulam and Koulibaly have been tested positive for coronavirus.
Atalanta vs Napoli Head-to-head
Teams Atalanta Napoli played so far 33 matches.
Atalanta won 10 direct matches. Napoli won 13 matches. 10 matches ended in a draw. On average in direct matches both teams scored a 2.39 goals per Match.
Atalanta vs Napoli Prediction
Atalanta in actual season average scored 2.23 goals per match. In 15 (93.75%) matches played at home was total goals (team and opponent) Over 1.5 goals. In 12 (75.00%) matches in season 2021 played at home was total goals (team and opponent) Over 2.5 goals.
Napoli average scored 2.07 goals per match in season 2021. In 10 (76.92%) matches played away was total goals (team and opponent) Over 1.5 goals. In 7 (53.85%) matches played away team was total goals (team and opponent) Over 2.5 goals.
Team News:
Atalanta have a dilemma to solve regarding their influential wing-back position, as both Joakim Maehle and Hans Hateboer are set to miss out on Wednesday. Centre-back Rafael Toloi adapted to a role on the right in the second half against Torino and could continue to cover. If not, young Matteo Ruggeri would come in.
As Cristian Romero is suspended, Mattia Caldara and Jose Luis Palomino will compete for a place in Gian Piero Gasperini's three-man defence.
Recently returned from injury, Mario Pasalic is a strong candidate to play in support of striker Duvan Zapata, as Josip Ilicic and Ruslan Malinovskyi are at risk of being banned for the final - should they get there - due to accumulation of bookings.
Visiting coach Gennaro Gattuso is not expected to retain the three-man back line he employed in Naples, particularly as Kalidou Koulibaly is absent due to COVID-19. Back-up defensive pair Amir Rrahmani and Nikola Maksimovic must instead step up to the plate, given that Kostas Manolas is also out of action until the end of the month.
Still quarantined, Faouzi Ghoulam is ruled out, with Dries Mertens and Fabian Ruiz - just returned from self-isolation himself - doubtful to start.
Tiemoue Bakayoko is likely to be teamed with Piotr Zielinski and Eljif Elmas in midfield, while it remains to be seen whether Gattuso will opt for a diminutive front trio or persist with Andrea Petagna - or even Victor Osimhen - as a more typical 'number nine'.
Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:
Gollini; Toloi, Palomino, Djimsiti; Ruggeri, De Roon, Freuler, Gosens; Pasalic, Ilicic; Zapata
Napoli possible starting lineup:
Ospina; Di Lorenzo, Maksimovic, Rrahmani, Hysaj; Elmas, Bakayoko, Zielinski; Politano, Lozano, Insigne