Parmavs.Atalanta

The Bergamaschi head for Stadio Tardini having surged into the Scudetto race, with just one point separating them from top spot.

Match preview

Reigning Europa League champions and regular fixtures in Italy's top six, this season could see Atalanta's strongest title push yet, following a superb run through October into the international break.

After sweeping aside league leaders Napoli at the start of November, La Dea then moved within one point of the Champions League's all-important top eight, before signing off with another Serie A success.

Gian Piero Gasperini's side posted a sixth straight Serie A win by overcoming a half-time deficit to defeat Udinese, moving them into second place as one of six teams within two points of the summit.

Now closing in on their club record of nine top-flight victories in a row, Atalanta have scored 31 goals in a dozen league games so far, with Ademola Lookman and Mateo Retegui leading the way.

Furthermore, they have kept things tight at the other end; yet to concede a single goal in the Champions League, the Nerazzurri have also won their last two away fixtures in Serie A while keeping a clean sheet, as Swedish centre-back Isak Hien continues to impress.

With maximum points from each of their last six meetings with Parma, precedent will be firmly on their side, too, when the action resumes this weekend.

Indeed, Parma have lost their last three home games against Atalanta, which is one more defeat than throughout the previous 18 and neatly demonstrates how both clubs' fortunes have changed.

This season, the Gialloblu are merely trying to stay afloat in Italy's top flight, having arrived back in the big time by topping Serie B last term.

After ending a run of four consecutive draws with a loss against fellow strugglers Genoa, Fabio Pecchia's side picked up three precious points away to rock-bottom Venezia just before international football intervened.

Emanuele Valeri and French striker Ange-Yoan Bonny both scored to pull off a comeback win at Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo, bringing some sweet relief for Pecchia and his young squad.

Not only did that victory pull Parma clear of the drop zone, but it was also their first since August, having effectively let 12 points slip from their grasp since then.

Partly as a result of such profligacy, the Emilian side have won only one of seven home games across Serie A and the Coppa Italia.

Parma Serie A form:

D

D

D

D

L

W

Atalanta BC Serie A form:

W

W

W

W

W

W

Atalanta BC form (all competitions):

D

W

W

W

W

W

Team News

Both on track for early returns from their respective ACL injuries, Gianluca Scamacca and Giorgio Scalvini will soon be back at the disposal of Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini, with the latter possibly taking a place on the bench in Parma.

However, wing-back Davide Zappacosta now faces three weeks on the sidelines with a thigh problem, while defensive duo Sead Kolasinac and Berat Djimsiti - the latter of whom missed out on representing Albania in this month's UEFA Nations League finale - are doubts.

Two players who have completed the most passes in the final third throughout Serie A this season - Marten de Roon (182) and Ederson (179) - should start in midfield, with Ademola Lookman supporting Capocannoniere rankings leader Mateo Retegui up front.

Parma, meanwhile, are missing Spanish star Adrian Bernabe, who has been ruled out until January; Hernani, Lautaro Valenti and long-term absentee Alessandro Circati will join him on the sidelines.

Following his first France Under-21s call-up, lone frontman Ange-Yoan Bonny will now try to boost his tally of five goal involvements in Serie A, and Romania internationals Valentin Mihaila and Dennis Man should occupy either wing.

Parma possible starting lineup:

Suzuki; Coulibaly, Del Prato, Balogh, Valeri; Keita, Estevez; Man, Sohm, Mihaila; Bonny

Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:

Carnesecchi; Kossounou, Hien, Djimsiti; Bellanova, Ederson, De Roon, Ruggeri; Samardzic, Lookman; Retegui

We say: Parma 1-2 Atalanta BC

As Parma (58) and Atalanta (51) have taken the most shots during the first half hour of play this season, scoring 17 goals between them, expect an entertaining start to proceedings at the Tardini.

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