Atalanta vs Inter Milan: Preview and Prediction

Atalanta vs Inter Milan
2016/17 Italian Serie A.
Date: Sunday, 23 October 2016
Kick-Off: 14:00 UK,
Venue: Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia (Bergamo).

It’s going to be an all-Nerazzurri derby as Atalanta take on Inter at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia this Sunday.

Inter arrive in Bergamo having picked up their first win in their European campaign. Antonio Candreva’s effort was enough to give Frank de Boer’s men a much-needed victory at the expense of Southampton. However, it was far from a comfortable win, and things were made a lot more complicated and uncomfortable when Marcelo Brozovic was sent off for two poor tackles. The Croatian international had been frozen out due to his poor attitude, and having nearly cost his team a win on Thursday, it will be very interesting to see if there is any place for him in the starting XI for this match.

A dismal run of form – including two consecutive losses – have seen Inter tumble down the table. In fact, they come into this match just one point away from Atalanta, so another defeat will see them slide ever so closer to the pack of sides propping up the table. Meanwhile, Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta have shown some signs of promise. Since losing 4-3 to Lazio in a seven goal thriller, the team have improved, and earned a hard-fought – and shock – win over Napoli in round seven.

However, they have not beaten Inter since March 2014. To find the last time they won at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia, one will have to go back to November 2012. Still, they have picked up seven points from their last three games, as compared to Inter, who have earned just one.

Atalanta vs Inter Milan: Head-to-head statistics

• Atalanta’s last win over Inter was in March 2014.
• La Dea have won six, drawn six, and lost eight out of their last 20 home games against teams ranked higher than them in the table.
• Inter have won 11, drawn four, and lost five out of their last 20 away games against teams ranked lower than them in the table.
• The Nerazzurri have not won an away game since September 21st (2-0 over Empoli).
• Atalanta’s most recent home loss was also on September 21st (1-0 vs. Palermo).
• In their past 36 meetings, Atalanta have won seven, drawn nine, and lost 20.

Atalanta vs Inter Milan: Prediction

Although Inter have the massive historical head-to-head advantage here, Atalanta picked up four points against Napoli and Fiorentina. Despite the Viola having their own issues, they have been quite solid in Europe. The Partenopei, meanwhile, are not an easy team to keep from scoring, either.

So, having kept two straight clean sheets, Atalanta’s defense must be doing something right. They will not make it easy for an Inter side who are still struggling to find their true form under de Boer. Nonetheless, the Nerazzurri do have quite a few attacking options in their arsenal, which will make it very tough for Atalanta to keep the likes of Mauro Icardi and Antonio Candreva quiet. Inter’s problem is that they just cannot close out a game (i.e. their 2-1 defeat to Cagliari), so a draw here is certainly possible.

Atalanta vs Inter Milan: Betting tips

Draw at 12/5 (3.40)
Both teams to score – YES at 3/4 (1.75)
Under 2.5 goals at 4/5 (1.80).