Napoli look to regain some form as they host a top 4 chasing Atalanta side in a game between two of the most entertaining Serie A sides.
Both of these teams have been extremely entertaining this season with Napoli scoring 61 goals which is 3rd highest in the league and Atalanta scoring 64 which is 2nd highest, we may see a goal fest here in Naples.
Looking in the table, this game is clearly far more important for Atalanta. With Napoli 2nd and not involved in the title race as Juventus already clinched and not being in danger of missing out of top 4 as they’re 11 pts clear of 4th, these last few games definitely won’t affect Napoli’s season although we should still expect them to look to play at a high level and finish the season strong. Meanwhile Atalanta are currently 6th but with a game in hand which is this they’re just 2 pts off Roma and 3 pts off AC Milan and with a win here they could get into the 4th spot on goal difference making this a very big game for the visitors.
Napoli have been in some poor form recently. Ever since the start of March they’ve struggled to win games winning just 4 from last 11 losing 5 of those games. Furthermore, Napoli are coming off a very disappointing Europa League tie against Arsenal where they lost both legs losing 3-0 on aggregate. Napoli are definitely there for the taking based on current form for the visitors.
Atalanta have been playing better football lately going unbeaten in 8 however they have had a few suspect results where they failed to take opportunities like against Chievo and Empoli at home and from these 8 total games, FOUR of them were draws. Atalanta’s attack has gotten quiet recently going goalless in 2 consecutive games so their front line could be due to have a big performance. Atalanta have performed better than he hosts lately, but a couple of poor draws have cost them in the recent stretch.
Napoli have been a good team at home overall this year with just 2 total defeats, only one of them coming in the league to leaders Juventus, however their recent home form has been quite disappointing. Napoli only have picked up 5 pts from last 12 available at home (1W 2D 1L) and did also pick up a defeat to Arsenal as mentioned here in their last home game in Europa League 0-1 so despite being a very solid home side as a whole, there has been a dip recently just like their overall form. Napoli have been slightly inconsistent against the top 6 at home beating AC Milan, drawing Roma and losing to Juventus.
Atalanta have been a pretty good away side, in fact they’ve picked up more away points (27) than they have at home with 26 this season in the league. Atalanta have the 4th best away record in Serie A and are the highest scorers on their travels with 35 away goals. Furthermore, Atalanta have shown fantastic recent away form losing just 1 from last 9 travels winning 6 of those games. Atalanta have yet to win a big away game though, but all of their 3 away games against top 6 sides have ended with draws (3-3 at Roma, 2-2 at Milan, 0-0 at Inter) so they’ve not been great nor bad since they haven’t won, but also haven’t lost a big away game.
Arkadiusz Milik is the player to watch for Napoli as he’s been their top scorer across all competitions and he’s been one of the most prolific strikers in the league with 17 Serie A goals this season. Napoli have multiple threats like Insigne and Mertens too who by the way has the most assists with 10, but goals wise Milik is the one that is the likeliest to score in this game given his record.
Duvan Zapata is without a doubt the player to watch for Atalanta. Top scorer with 20 league goals and has been in solid form scoring 3 goals in his last 3 apps coming out of the international break. Zapata could cause a serious amount of problems for the hosts here.
Napoli defeated Atalanta 1-2 in the reverse fixture as they turned around a 1-0 deficit to pick up all 3 points. In fact looking at recent H2H, the away side has won each of the last 3 meetings and 4 of last 5 between these two sides.
The past 5 visits in Naples have been pretty evenly matched as well as Atalanta and Napoli shared 2 wins and one draw here with Atalanta winning in their last visit here 1-2 in Coppa Italia last season so home field advantage hasn’t really meant much in the past few years between these sides.
Napoli are tipped as bookies favourites to win the game at 1.98 whereas Atalanta to win is 3.75 with Draw offered at 3.55. Odds based on Unibet.
Team News
Napoli: Amadou Diawara and Adam Onus are both out meanwhile Raul Albiol could be back in contention to make his return into the side.
Atalanta: Rafael Toloi is the only absenstee for the visitors as they have a healthy side otherwise.
Betting Stats
Napoli have covered 43.8% of their total goal overs at home in the league this season (7-2-7).
Napoli have covered 50% of their total 1st half goal overs at home in the league this season (8-1-7).
Napoli average 1.63 bookings per game at home in the league this season (26 bookings in 16 games).
Arkadiusz Milik is Napoli’s top scorer at home in the league this season with 10 home goals in the Serie A. Dries Mertens has also scored quite a few as he has 8 goals at home.
Napoli have covered 43.8% of their Handicaps at home in the league this season (7-2-7).
Napoli have covered 43.8% of their 1st half Handicaps at home in the league this season (7-9).
Atalanta have covered 68.8% of their total goal overs away from home in the league this season which is 2nd best percentage in the Serie A (11-5).
Atalanta have covered 43.8% of their total 1st half goal overs away from home in the league this season (7-4-5).
Atalanta average 2.13 bookings per game away from home in the league this season (34 bookings in 16 games).
Duvan Zapata is Atalanta’s top scorer away from home with 13 away league goals which is also Serie A’s best in general.
Atalanta have covered 68.8% of their Handicaps away from home in the league this season which is the best percentage in the Serie A (11-5).
However, Atalanta have covered just 31.2% of their 1st half Handicaps away from home in the league this season which is tied 2nd worst (5-3-8). Miles better in the 2nd halves of their away games.
KICK OFF – 22nd April 2019 – 6pm UK Time
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