Atalanta BC vs Cagliari: Prediction, Team News, and Lineups Preview
Atalanta BC is set to face Cagliari in an exciting Serie A matchup this Saturday night. Both teams are coming off significant victories, with Atalanta defeating Chelsea and Cagliari breaking a winless streak by overcoming Roma.
Match Preview
Atalanta has struggled to maintain consistency in Serie A this season but recently achieved a key victory over Chelsea, enhancing their confidence. Despite a challenging domestic campaign, they remain in contention for a top-eight finish in the Champions League, aiming for a direct ticket to the last 16.
In their last Serie A match, Atalanta suffered a 3-1 loss to Hellas Verona, who were previously winless. The club has won only one of their last ten league matches, marking their poorest start in a decade. New manager Raffaele Palladino will seek to build on their European success by securing a win over Cagliari at home.
Cagliari, on the other hand, has historically struggled against Atalanta. Last season, they managed just one point from their encounters and did not score. However, they have been resilient in their recent visits to Bergamo, having lost only twice in their last seven matches there.
Cagliari’s Recent Performance
Inspired by a recent win against Roma, Cagliari aims to capitalize on any mistakes from Atalanta. They halted a nine-match winless run thanks to a late strike from Gianluca Gaetano. Nonetheless, Cagliari must remain cautious as they still have a fragile buffer above the relegation zone.
- Cagliari’s recent Serie A form: L, L, D, D, L, W
- Cagliari’s overall form: L, D, D, L, L, W
Team News
For Atalanta, key player Kamaldeen Sulemana is sidelined with an adductor injury, while Mitchel Bakker is set to return early next year. Ademola Lookman will likely make his final appearance before joining the Africa Cup of Nations. The attacking trio of De Ketelaere, Lookman, and Scamacca is expected to start, with potential rotations on the squad.
Cagliari will miss long-term injured players Mattia Felici and Andrea Belotti, alongside defenders Ze Pedro and Yerry Mina. Manager Fabio Pisacane could stick with the same starting eleven that triumphed against Roma, including Marco Palestra, who has been influential with three assists this season.
Possible Lineups
| Atalanta BC | Cagliari |
|---|---|
| Carnesecchi | Caprile |
| Kossounou, Hien, Djimsiti | Zappa, Rodriguez, Luperto |
| Zappacosta, De Roon, Ederson, Zalewski | Palestra, Adopo, Deiola, Folorunsho, Obert |
| De Ketelaere, Lookman | Esposito, Borrelli |
Match Prediction
Expect a competitive match, but Atalanta’s European form could provide them with the momentum to secure a 2-1 victory over Cagliari. The match promises to be critical for both teams, particularly for Cagliari as they aim to escape the relegation battle.
