Preview: Juventus vs. Atalanta BC - prediction, team news, lineups

La Dea's recent resurgence was halted by successive defeats, before recording a midweek draw in Europe, so both sides will be keen to get back on track this weekend.

Match preview

Losing for the fifth time in a row at Stadio Maradona, Juventus were beaten by struggling Serie A champions Napoli last week, when any remaining hope of a late Scudetto challenge surely faded.

Although Federico Chiesa's 81st-minute leveller pulled Juve back into contention, Giacomo Raspadori then struck as stoppage time approached, leaving the visitors empty-handed once again: they now trail league leaders Inter Milan by some 15 points.

In the process of winning only one of their last six league matches, Max Allegri's men have been unusually open at the back, and they last kept a clean sheet in late January.

Once renowned for grinding out one-goal wins under safety-first Allegri, Juventus have conceded some avoidable goals to struggling sides such as Frosinone, Udinese and Hellas Verona, killing their momentum at a crucial stage of the season.

Inter have clinically exploited Juve's series of slip-ups to open a sizeable gap at the summit, and third-placed AC Milan are now breathing down the Bianconeri's neck, sitting just one point behind.

Shortly after the international break, they meet Lazio in a two-legged Coppa Italia semi-final, so some silverware could still be brought back to Turin; if Juve are to retain second spot in Serie A, though, they will need to improve on a dire recent record against Atalanta.

Not only have Juventus managed just one win in their last eight league games against La Dea, but Sunday's visitors are also unbeaten in five trips to the Allianz Stadium.

After a previous run of eight straight losses there, that represents quite a turnaround from Gian Piero Gasperini's side, who had been flying high in Serie A until their final fixture of February.

Following eight top-flight matches without defeat, the Bergamaschi have recently been beaten by Italy's form sides, Inter and Bologna, with the latter game being something of a six-pointer in the hunt for Champions League qualification.

Thumped 4-0 by the champions-elect, Atalanta then let a precious lead slip and sunk to a 2-1 loss at home to Bologna, who moved five points above Gasperini's men in the tightly-packed table.

In this term's meetings between teams inside Serie A's top seven, only Roma have picked up fewer points than La Dea, and a tough fixture list between now and next month's Coppa clash with Fiorentina means that trend cannot continue much longer.

Otherwise, Atalanta - who held Primeira Liga leaders Sporting 1-1 in the first leg of their Europa League tie on Wednesday, thanks to Gianluca Scamacca's goal - may have too much ground to recover in the relentless top-four race.

Juventus Serie A form:

D

L

L

D

W

L

Atalanta BC Serie A form:

W

W

W

D

L

L

Atalanta BC form (all competitions):

W

W

D

L

L

D

Team News

Juventus face a selection crisis on Sunday, as several first-team regulars will be missing, or at least lacking full fitness.

Most acutely, the hosts' midfield is affected, as Adrien Rabiot (toe) and Carlos Alcaraz (hamstring) are ruled out and Weston McKennie may not make it back from a dislocated shoulder.

Top scorer Dusan Vlahovic must serve a suspension, while fellow forward Moise Kean and long-term absentee Mattia De Sciglio will also be unavailable. Therefore, Arkadiusz Milik and Danilo are among several men hopeful of being promoted from the bench.

Despite playing in Portugal earlier this week, Atalanta have reported no injury issues, so only Emil Holm will sit out the trip to Turin - the Swedish wing-back picked up his fifth league booking of the season against Bologna.

After being restricted to substitute appearances in midweek, Teun Koopmeiners, Charles De Ketelaere and Giorgio Scalvini should all return to the starting XI, putting Ademola Lookman's place in some jeopardy.

The Nigerian striker scored twice at the Allianz Stadium last year and has been directly involved in three goals against Juventus in Serie A. However, either he or Gianluca Scamacca may begin Sunday's game on the bench.

Juventus possible starting lineup:

Szczesny; Gatti, Bremer, Danilo; Cambiaso, Miretti, Locatelli, McKennie, Kostic; Chiesa, Milik

Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:

Carnesecchi; Scalvini, Djimsiti, Kolasinac; Zappacosta, De Roon, Ederson, Ruggeri; Koopmeiners; Lookman, De Ketelaere

We say: Juventus 2-1 Atalanta BC

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