Atalanta – Sassuolo : Preview & Prediction
Atalanta let a 2-0 lead against Udinese slip to a 2-2 draw last weekend, taking the gloss off what remains their first unbeaten start after nine games (G6, E3) in a top-flight campaign. They conceded more than once in a game this season for the first time in that run, but still boast one of the best defences in Europe’s top five leagues (five conceded), which clearly shows they are a tough team to play against.
Three of those five goals conceded came at home, where second-placed Atalanta have dropped points in half of their league fixtures this season (G2, E2). Their hopes of temporarily going top with a win here are not guaranteed, though they could not have picked a better opponent. Atalanta have won their last five SA home games against Sassuolo, and have lost just once in their last 16 meetings between them in the top flight (G10, E5), making it an ideal clash on paper to propel them to the top of SA.
However, that one loss came when these sides last met, which could give mid-table Sassuolo the confidence they need to be a thorn in Atalanta’s side. However, Sassuolo will have to shrug off a 2-1 loss to Inter Milan in their last outing, which halted a two-game winning streak, a result that made them a balanced set of results (G3, E3, P3) in their league campaign so far.
Despite that recent defeat, Sassuolo enter this clash on a three-game unbeaten run away from home in SA (G1, E2) after keeping a clean sheet in their last two matches in that capacity. They could now record three consecutive clean sheets in SA away from home for the first time since December 2020, but will have to defy history to do so. Sassuolo have conceded at least one top-flight goal against Atalanta since November 2014, averaging 2.67 goals conceded per game during that time, so preventing their opponents from recording a win that takes them to the top of the league looks a tall order.
Players to watch: Atalanta have won three of four SA games in which Ademola Lookman has directly contributed a goal (three goals, one assist). He scored Atalanta’s first goal in their last two games and, similarly, the visiting Davide Frattesi opened the scoring for Sassuolo with each of his last three SA goals.
Weekend stat: Atalanta are the only SA side yet to trail at some point this campaign.
Atalanta – Sassuolo : Betting Tips
Atalanta – Win Odds: 1.55
