Another exciting clash is on the cards in the Serie A Matchday 26 as Fiorentina host Atalanta and our prediction is that is going to be an important game for both sides.
La Viola will be eager to close the gap between themselves and Atalanta to just two points this weekend when they go head to head for the second time in the space of two weeks.
The hosts have already beaten their guests twice this season, in league and cup, meaning Atalanta will have to put their best foot out to take anything from the game.
Form Guide: Fiorentina
Much was said about Fiorentina’s fortunes in the wake of Dusan Vlahovic’s big move to Juventus. Life after their prolific forward moved on started on a sour note, with a 3-0 loss to Lazio. However, Fiorentina bounced back to win their next two consecutive games, which included a five-goal thriller against Atalanta in the Coppa Italia just barely more than a week ago.
Overall, Fiorentina have enjoyed a positive run of results of late, having lost only once in six outings (all competitions), winning four of them and playing out to a draw against Cagliari. Interestingly, they continue to play offensive football and it is no surprise their last two games has seen them score at least two goals themselves.
Fiorentina have also been rather impressive on their home turf this season, as they have scored 29 goals in 11 played games as a hosts. They will fancy their chances at hurting Atalanta for a third time this season.
Form Guide: Atalanta
Atalanta have been rather underwhelming of late. La Dea had failed to win in five outings (four Serie A and Coppa Italia) but managed to return to winning ways in midweek after a quickfire brace from an unlikely source in Berat Djimsiti saw them claim a 2-1 comeback win against Olympiacos in the Europa League.
It must be said that Atalanta are missing some key players at the moment due to injury, as Duvan Zapata and Josip Ilicic remain out to mention a few. Despite their poor form, they remain only two points behind fourth-place Juventus and with a game in hand to go with.
Atalanta have already been beaten twice by Fiorentina this term and they’ll be looking to exert revenge and also push further up in the quest for Champions League spots. History is not on their side though as they have won only three our of their last 15 away games against Fiorentina.
Fiorentina vs Atalanta Prediction
This game could go anyways in terms of an outright winner and it would come as a tough call to predict an outright winner. However, we can be certain of attacking football from both ends and that could result in goals, meaning over 2.5 goals could be a decent pick.
There has been at least in each of the last 10 meetings between both sides in all competitions, and we could see the same when Sunday’s latest encounter. Five of Fiorentina’s last six games have produced at least three goals and the same has also followed suit in Atalanta’s last three outings.
Based on the above, it is also worth backing both teams to score. A value tip could be backing a goal from the spot. There has now been a penalty in 42% (ten) of Fiorentina’s SA matches this season. Coincidentally, the 3-2 win for Fiorentina against Atalanta earlier this month saw a penalty missed and scored.
Anytime Goalscorer
Krzysztof Piatek has bagged three goals in his last two outings for Fiorentina and it could have been more if he converted his penalty against Spezia last time out. As La Viola start to ease with life without Vlahovic, a new prolific name in the Polish forward could emerge.