- Atalanta Bergamo are seventh in Serie A (58 points from 36 games), six points ahead of eighth-placed Bologna F.C. (52).
- Atalanta have won nine, drawn six and lost three home games in Serie A this season.
- Bologna F.C. have won two of their last three away games at Atalanta.
Atalanta are tough to beat at home
Atalanta Bergamo’s home record this season reads as nine wins, six draws and three losses, so our Atalanta Bergamo vs Bologna F.C. prediction is that a visit to Gewiss Stadium is anything but a formality for Bologna F.C. - especially since the Rossoblu have won twice in their last three visits to Bergamo.
Raffaele Palladino’s side are going through an evolution since leaving Gian Piero Gasperini’s rigid 3-4-2-1 system behind and have a little more freedom to operate, but there are some similarities. Atalanta’s 3-4-2-1 or 3-4-1-2 formations still centre around creating overloads in the half-spaces, using vertical transitions and applying a trigger-based, risk-managed press.
The hosts will be particularly keen to get Teun Koopmeiners and Ademola Lookman into the game and watch them find a way to get into the half-spaces, where they can create chaos. For those interested in strategy, this Atalanta Bergamo vs Bologna F.C. preview highlights the tactical nuances both teams bring to this encounter.
Bologna are no pushovers
Bologna are no strangers to causing disruption themselves, however. The visitors align in a compact, possession-based 4-2-3-1 system that morphs into wide shapes and they also use a structured, man-oriented high press, which suits their rapid vertical style of play.
Vincenzo Italiano’s side have been picking up momentum under his leadership and there’s a bit of extra spice to this contest with European qualification at stake for both clubs.
The Atalanta Bergamo vs Bologna F.C. prediction is shaken by the fact that Atalanta have struggled for results at home lately, failing to win either of their last two games, while Bologna come in off a spirited 3-2 win away to Napoli and will be looking to avenge their goalless draw with Cagliari in their previous outing.
Goals at both ends expected
Bologna’s top marksman is Riccardo Orsolini with nine goals in 34 Serie A appearances, so the Rossoblu aren’t an obvious outlet for a goal if Atalanta can keep him quiet. But with Gianluca Scamacca hitting two of his 10 Serie A goals for the hosts recently, there should be plenty of goalmouth action at either end of the pitch on Sunday.
Joshua Zirkzee and Lewis Ferguson should be two players to watch for Bologna because of the movement and runs they make, both vertically and horizontally, to give the ball a vertical dimension and open up spaces for others.
Atalanta score 1.39 goals and concede 0.78 per home game in Serie A, but Bologna F.C. are no mugs on the road, averaging 1.28 goals conceded per game on their travels. The Atalanta Bergamo vs Bologna F.C. betting tips also point to backing Over 2.5 goals at 1.71 and Both Teams to Score - Yes at 1.66 in this game.
