Napoli vs Atalanta
Coppa Italia
Date: Wednesday, 3 February 2021
Kick-Off at 19.45 UK
Venue: Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples.
All eyes will be on Stadio Diego Armando Maradona when Napoli and Atalanta face each other in the Italian Cup semis, first leg.
The Neapolitans have been impressive on home soil of late, with the team eyeing their fifth consecutive triumph at home ground in all competitions.
Even though Genaro Gattuso can’t count on Dries Mertens for Wednesday’s showdown, we predict that the Partenopei are going to find the net against Atalanta.
Fabian Ruiz remains quarantined following his positive test for coronavirus. The Orobici, on the other hand, head into the match following the Serie A defeat (1-3) to Lazio.
Gosens returns to contention from the Serie A ban, while Hateboer remains sidelined with a muscle injury.
Anyhow, given Atalanta’s attacking potential, we are tempted to put our money on over 2.5 goals. Ukraine international Malinovsky is widely expected to return to the starting XI.
Napoli vs Atalanta Head-to-head
Teams Napoli Atalanta played so far 32 matches.
Napoli won 13 direct matches. Atalanta won 10 matches. 9 matches ended in a draw. On average in direct matches both teams scored a 2.47 goals per Match.
Napoli vs Atalanta Prediction
Napoli in actual season average scored 2.18 goals per match. In 15 (93.75%) matches played at home was total goals (team and opponent) Over 1.5 goals. In 10 (62.50%) matches in season 2021 played at home was total goals (team and opponent) Over 2.5 goals.
Atalanta average scored 2.29 goals per match in season 2021. In 11 (84.62%) matches played away was total goals (team and opponent) Over 1.5 goals. In 8 (61.54%) matches played away team was total goals (team and opponent) Over 2.5 goals.
Team News:
An injury-scarred campaign continues for Napoli stalwart Dries Mertens, as the Belgian forward has returned to his homeland for treatment on an ankle injury. The 33-year-old limped off during the defeat at Inter Milan last month with a sprained left ankle and has struggled for fitness since.
Midfielder Fabian Ruiz has been out of action with COVID-19, so must wait to return a negative test before rejoining his teammates. Otherwise, Gennaro Gattuso has a clean bill of health and is expected to name a strong XI - with tight calls to be made between Andrea Petagna and Victor Osimhen up front and in the ongoing saga of Alex Meret versus David Ospina in goal.
For the visitors, Gian Piero Gasperini has a significant defensive headache to resolve, as Jose Luis Palomino is suspended following his dismissal in the quarter-final and Cristian Romero tested positive for COVID-19 late last week.
Back-up Bosko Sutalo is also in doubt, so Mattia Caldara could complete the back three with regulars Rafael Toloi and Berat Djimsiti. Wing-back Hans Hateboer remains a concern though, so new signing Joakim Maehle could continue on the right, while key attacking threat Robin Gosens will be back after serving a suspension in Serie A.
Possessor of a formidable goals-per-minute ratio, striker Luis Muriel was afforded a rare start in the previous round and may again swap places with compatriot Duvan Zapata at the Maradona.
Napoli possible starting lineup:
Ospina; Di Lorenzo, Manolas, Koulibaly, Hysaj; Demme, Bakayoko; Lozano, Zielinski, Insigne; Osimhen
Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:
Gollini; Toloi, Caldara, Djimsiti; Maehle, De Roon, Freuler, Gosens; Pessina, Ilicic; Muriel