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Allianz Stadium sets the stage for a high-stakes Serie A showdown between bitter rivals Juventus and Atalanta. One of the standout fixtures of the weekend pits the two sides with lofty ambitions against each other on Saturday evening.<\/strong><\/p>\n Juventus\u2019 100% league start came to an end last weekend. Despite taking an early lead through Francisco Conceicao, Igor Tudor\u2019s side slumped to a 1-1 draw at Hellas Verona. In all fairness, the Bianconeri got away with a point, considering Paolo Zanetti\u2019s charges squandered several promising chances and had a second-half goal disallowed by VAR.<\/span><\/p>\n However, three wins from the opening four rounds keep Juventus firmly in contention for their first Scudetto since the 2019\/20 season. A swift return to winning ways would be the ultimate confidence booster, especially considering they face perennial top-four contenders Atalanta in a blockbuster contest.<\/span><\/p>\n Unlike their hosts, La Dea got their league campaign off to an underwhelming start. Back-to-back draws against Pisa and Parma cast doubt on Ivan Juric\u2019s ability to fill the void left by Gian Piero Gasperini\u2019s transfer to Roma. However, Atalanta have since gained a foothold in Serie A, dismantling Lecce and Torino via three-goal margins.<\/span><\/p>\n Juric led the Bergamo outfit to a commanding 3-0 win on his return to Turin last weekend, helping them bounce back from a dreadful 4-0 defeat at Paris Saint-Germain in their opening Champions League outing. Yet, it\u2019s hard to imagine Atalanta replicating such dominance in Turin, where Juventus have been formidable under Tudor.<\/span><\/p>\n Juventus<\/strong><\/p>\n Allianz Stadium has been a fortress this season. After a comfortable 2-0 victory over Parma, Juventus pulled off a stunning late comeback to beat Inter Milan 4-3 in a breathless Derby d\u2019Italia in their last home league match. Furthermore, the Turin giants netted twice in second-half stoppage time to hold Borussia Dortmund to a 4-4 draw.<\/span><\/p>\n Despite enjoying their best start to the Serie A season since 2018\/19, defensive woes threaten to hamper the Bianconeri\u2019s hopes of returning to the domestic throne. Indeed, they\u2019ve conceded across their last three games in all competitions, including seven in their two most recent home matches.<\/span><\/p>\n Nonetheless, Juventus will take the field in high spirits, buoyed by an ongoing six-game winning home streak in Serie A. Another triumph against Atalanta would see them go seven in a row for the first time since March 2021. Moreover, they scored at least two goals in each of those six wins.<\/span><\/p>\n Atalanta<\/strong><\/p>\n The aforementioned win over Torino maintained Atalanta\u2019s promising-looking form on the road. Except for a humiliating loss at the Parc des Princes, Juric\u2019s men have gone unbeaten in five of their last six competitive matches on hostile turf, racking up four victories in that period. Continuing that record in Turin could be easier said than done.<\/span><\/p>\n However, if they defy the odds and avoid defeat, Atalanta would start the new Serie A season on a five-match unbeaten run for only the second time since 2007. The visitors can draw confidence from their recent meetings with Juventus. Indeed, they\u2019ve not lost any of their last four encounters in Serie A (W1, D3).<\/span><\/p>\n Those games form part of an outstanding 11-game stretch, which saw Atalanta lose just one league clash against the Bianconeri (W3, D7). Adding to La Dea\u2019s confidence, they emerged 4-0 victors from this corresponding fixture last season, extending their unbeaten run on this ground to seven matches (W2, D5).<\/span><\/p>\n After being rested against Verona, Gleison Bremer is expected to return to Juventus\u2019 starting XI at the expense of Pierre Kalulu. Meanwhile, the Frenchman may return to the wing, with Joao Mario likely to make way. Long-term absentee Arkadiusz Milik remains on the sidelines, alongside Fabio Miretti.<\/span><\/p>\n As for Atalanta, Nicola Zalewski, Sead Kolasic, Giorgio Scalvini, and Mitchell Bakker are unavailable for selection due to injuries. Far more ominous is the absence of star striker Gianluca Scamacca and midfield cornerstone Ederson. With Scamacca out, Nikola Krstovic will probably lead the line despite Ademola Lookman\u2019s return to the squad.<\/span><\/p>\n Juventus (3-4-2-1):<\/strong> Di Gregorio; Gatti, Bremer, Kelly; Kalulu, Thuram, Locatelli, Cambiaso; Conceicao, Yildiz; David.<\/span><\/p>\n Atalanta (3-4-1-2):<\/strong> Carnesecchi; Kossounou, Djimsiti, Ahanor; Bellanova, De Roon, Musah, Zappacosta; Pasalic; De Ketelaere, Krstovic.<\/span><\/p>\n It would take a brave man to write Atalanta off before the kick-off. However, a sizeable injury list threatens to hamper La Dea\u2019s chances of upsetting Turin again. Juventus have been superb at home, and we believe they\u2019re well-positioned to take advantage of Atalanta\u2019s injury crisis.<\/span><\/p>\n Indeed, this feels like a prime opportunity for Juventus to beat this opposition at the Allianz Stadium for the first time since March 2018.<\/p>\nMatch Preview<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Team News<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Juventus vs Atalanta Potential Starting Line-ups<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Juventus vs Atalanta Prediction<\/strong><\/h2>\n