This Monday night we have a fun one in Serie A between two of the best and most entertaining teams as Atalanta host Napoli. Atalanta have finally hit great form after a sluggish season start but are coming off a frustrating 3-2 defeat in Empoli after blowing a 0-2 and will be eager to return to winning ways against what is arguably the 2nd best team in Italy. Napoli are however 11 pts off the league leaders Juventus and if they want to keep pace this really is a must win for them. Napoli are riding high after their 3-0 win in the Champions League but are in a desperate need of a win to stay alive in the title race in the Italian league. 9W 2D 2L wouldn’t normally put you 11 pts behind but in this case it’s doing so and Napoli can’t afford to drop anymore points.
Key Facts
Atalanta have 5 straight matches with over 2.5 goals.
Atalanta have scored 2+ goals in 5 consecutive games.
Atalanta have scored 3+ goals at home 3 times in their 6 home games
On average there are 3.2 goals scored in Atalanta’s Serie A Games.
Atalanta have got the best defensive record at home with just 3 conceded goals.
Atalanta have done well against big teams this season. Draws at Roma (3-3) and AC Milan (2-2) and they’ve smashed Inter 4-1. Very high scoring too
All 6 of Napoli’s league away games had over 2.5 goals.
Napoli have only kept 1 away clean sheet in 6 away games and have conceded 9 goals (1.5 per game) in Serie A.
On average there are 3 goals scored in Napoli’s games in Serie A this season.
Mertens (7) and Insigne (7) have combined for 14 of Napoli’s 26 Serie A Goals. Deadly duo
Mertens has netted 5 goals in his last 5 Serie A Games.
Mertens has scored in 3 consecutive games against Atalanta.
Napoli are unbeaten in 10 consecutive games in all competitions
Napoli have won in 2 of their last 3 visits to Atalanta. 1L.
3 of last 5 meetings between these clubs have surprisingly had under 2.5 goals.
Team News
Atalanta: Atalanta are missing Musa Barrow, Rafael Toloi and Marco Varnier due to injuries, meanwhile Josip Ilicic is suspended. Otherwise everyone is available.
Napoli: Raul Albiol is a massive doubt and Vlad Chiriches remains absent for Napoli. Meanwhile Amin Younes is back from injury but isn’t likely to feature much or at all because it’s a bit too early for that coming right off an injury. Mertens and Insigne are expected to start together up front dropping Milik again.
Betting Tips and Predictions
Goals over is the top pick here. Over 2.5 is currently priced at 1.75 and it may be best to wait LIVE until it reaches 1.85+ but if you don’t want that risk in case someone scores right away which is possible then just take the 1.75 pre-game. In terms of a winner it’s hard to predict. Napoli might be the better side, but Atalanta have been good in big games and plus they’re at home and we’ve already seen Inter get battered here 4-1 so it’s best to just stay away from the match winner betting. Dries Mertens to score anytime at 2.60 is the other pick for this game. He’s playing good football, has had great success against Atalanta in the past few games and is one of Napoli’s main threats and should get a few chances to come his away so at 2.60 it’s worth the try. We anticipate this to be a 2-2 draw.
Match Odds (Unibet)
Atalanta Win – 3.20
Draw – 3.40
Napoli Win – 2.25
KICK OFF – 3rd December 2018 – 7:30pm UK Time
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