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Fiorentina logo
Serie A | Gameweek 30
Apr 11, 2021 at 7.45pm UK
Stadio Artemio Franchi
Atalanta logo
Fiorentina
2 - 3
Atalanta
Vlahovic (57', 66')
Pezzella (32'), Amrabat (53'), Milenkovic (72')
FT(HT: 0-2)
Zapata (13', 40'), Ilicic (70' pen.)
Romero (23')

Preview: Fiorentina vs. Atalanta BC - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Serie A clash between Fiorentina and Atalanta BC, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

As the race for a top four place intensifies, Atalanta BC come into their latest assignment - away to mid-table Fiorentina on Sunday evening - on a run of six wins from their last seven league games.

Despite their strong form, La Dea are still just two points clear of fifth-placed Napoli in the standings, so will be seeking victory in Florence, with their hosts having recently picked up just five points from a possible 15.


Match preview

Atalanta's Luis Muriel celebrates scoring their third goal against SPAL on August 25, 2019© Reuters

With their Colombian contingent once again to the fore, in-form Atalanta converted dominance into a deceptively close 3-2 home win over Udinese last time out, as Gian Piero Gasperini's side took another step closer to securing a third consecutive Champions League qualification.

Irrepressible top scorer Luis Muriel bagged a brace for the home side before Duvan Zapata's decisive goal, but the visitors gave the Nerazzurri an uncomfortable finish after reducing their deficit to a single goal in the 71st minute.

Putting their anti-climactic departure from Europe aside, the past few months have proved particularly productive for Atalanta, as since the start of February only leaders Inter have picked up more points than their 22 in Serie A.

Furthermore, Gasperini's free-scoring unit have also scored the most goals in Italy this season (level on 68 with Inter) and in 2021 only Manchester City have netted more than Atalanta throughout the top five European leagues. Undoubtedly, they will be expecting to improve that tally still further when they face a flaky Fiorentina side on Sunday.

Having won their last two league matches against the Tuscan outfit - only in 1942 have they won three successive games against them in the top flight - Atalanta will be keen to capitalise, ahead of back-to-back matches with Juventus and Roma.

After a 3-0 win in the reverse fixture, the Orobici could win both league games against Fiorentina for the first time since 1993, and as former Viola striker Muriel (currently on 18) would set a personal goals record for a single Serie A campaign if he adds at least one more upon his return to the Franchi, he will need no more motivation.

Franck Ribery in action for Fiorentina in September 2020© Reuters

After they lost 3-0 to Milan in their last home fixture before the international break, Fiorentina returned to action with a 1-1 draw at Genoa last weekend, keeping them eight points clear of the relegation zone in 14th place.

Serbian striker Dusan Vlahovic recorded his 13th goal of a breakthrough campaign to equalise the home side's opening strike, but returning coach Beppe Iachini's comeback offered little else in terms of entertainment. As veteran forward Franck Ribery was sent off for wildly hacking at an opponent though, the Viola were ultimately relieved to take a rare away point.

Their form in Florence has been responsible for keeping them afloat thus far, as five of their seven wins this season have come amid the familiar surrounds of Stadio Artemio Franchi.

However, ahead of high-flying Atalanta's visit, only basement club Crotone have picked up fewer points in total than Fiorentina's five against sides currently in the top half of the table.

Formerly in charge from December 2019 until last November, when he was dismissed with the club stumbling towards the trapdoor, Iachini has been entrusted with the job of steering the Viola to safety following Cesare Prandelli's unexpected departure. Still to face six of the top seven in their final nine games, it may be no straightforward task for the cap-clad coach.

Fiorentina Serie A form:
  • L
  • L
  • D
  • W
  • L
  • D

Atalanta BC Serie A form:
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • W

Atalanta BC form (all competitions):
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • W



Team News

Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini during the match on January 23, 2021© Reuters

Atalanta have most of their key men fit and firing for the run-in, but midfielder Matteo Pessina tested positive for COVID-19 during the week - the eighth Italy international to have contracted the virus while on duty with the Azzurri.

Top scorer Luis Muriel is also struggling with a back problem but should still be included from the start, though wing-back Hans Hateboer remains out of action as he continues to rehabilitate after foot surgery.

Gian Piero Gasperini will most likely include either Mario Pasalic or Ruslan Malinovskyi in place of the self-isolating Pessina, while Joakim Maehle is set to come back in on the right flank. If Muriel proves unable to join compatriot Duvan Zapata in attack, then Josip Ilicic would be handed a start.

Fiorentina's Franck Ribery and Erick Pulgar are both suspended this week, though defender Kevin Malcuit is now likely to be available after missing out last time due to a muscle injury. January signing Aleksandr Kokorin and Brazilian defender Igor are both out with thigh strains.

Midfielder Sofyan Amrabat recovered from a back injury to make the bench in Genoa, so should now take a place in the central three to cover for Pulgar.

Up front, Christian Kouame - who has made 18 substitute appearances so far this season, more than any other Fiorentina player - is in contention to start alongside Dusan Vlahovic, given Ribery's absence, though former Nice forward Valentin Eysseric is another option for boss Beppe Iachini.

Fiorentina possible starting lineup:
Dragowski; Milenkovic, Pezzella, Martinez Quarta; Caceres, Castrovilli, Amrabat, Bonaventura, Biraghi; Kouame, Vlahovic

Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:
Gollini; Toloi, Romero, Palomino; Maehle, De Roon, Freuler, Gosens; Pasalic; Muriel, Zapata


SM words green background

We say: Fiorentina 1-2 Atalanta BC

With the visitors' free-spirited attackers unlikely to be halted by Fiorentina's rearguard - which usually melts when facing the league's big boys - they can continue their winning streak in the traditional Sunday evening kickoff.

Though the Viola are still in need of points to secure Serie A football next term, it will be the Champions League-chasing Bergamaschi who are most dangerous in the final third, with their most potent weapons now in peak form.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data



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Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Atalanta BC win with a probability of 64.07%. A draw had a probability of 20% and a win for Fiorentina had a probability of 15.91%.

The most likely scoreline for an Atalanta BC win was 0-2 with a probability of 10.5%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 0-1 (9.98%) and 1-2 (9.92%). The likeliest drawn scoreline was 1-1 (9.42%), while for a Fiorentina win it was 1-0 (4.47%). The actual scoreline of 2-3 was predicted with a 3.3% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted that Atalanta BC would win this match.


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Game History

How you voted: Fiorentina vs Atalanta

Fiorentina
8.3%
Draw
11.1%
Atalanta BC
80.6%
72
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Inter Milan29244171145776
2AC Milan29195555332262
3Juventus29178444232159
4Bologna29159542251754
5Roma29156855352051
6Atalanta BCAtalanta28145951321947
7Napoli29129844331145
8Fiorentina2812794132943
9Lazio29134123633343
10Monza2911993236-442
11Torino29101182826241
12Genoa29810113136-534
13Lecce29610132645-1928
14Udinese29415102844-1627
15Hellas VeronaHellas Verona2968152639-1326
16CagliariCagliari2968152950-2126
17Empoli2967162243-2125
18FrosinoneFrosinone2966173760-2324
19SassuoloSassuolo2965183356-2323
20Salernitana2928192359-3614

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