Serie A is back on Saturday, with five games taking place, the first since the international break. We begin with an early kick off between two teams currently in the top seven of the table. 7th placed Napoli are the hosts, and they take on 6th placed Atalanta, just two points separate them so a win for the home side would be enough to leapfrog above.
Napoli Form GuideI think I've just written off this season for Napoli, and I'm not too sure how to really rank them. But what I do think, is that we are currently seeing the best of them, they're going along nicely, and I think they have a chance to finish well, and build towards a bit of optimism for the new season in the summer.
They come here on a six game unbeaten run, two wins and four draws in that period. The most recent of those was a draw, a 1-1 tie away at leaders Inter, before that, another 1-1 tie, this time at home to Torino. Their two recent wins have been 2-1 at home to Juventus and 6-1 away at Sassuolo.
Atalanta Form GuideOne time, looking likely of being in the top four, potentially the top three, Atalanta are now fighting for their lives to be in the top six, nevermind anything better. While I've just said I think we are seeing the best of Napoli right now, I would also add I think we are seeing the worst of Atalanta.
They come here four games without a win, a draw in their first and last games of that period, and two defeats in the middle. They drew 2-2 away at Juventus in their game before the international break, the other draw was a 1-1 tie away at AC Milan. Losses in the middle have been 4-0 away at Inter Milan and 2-1 at home to Bologna.
Match PredictionI don't think there's much between these two teams, when at their best, and would argue perhaps that Atalanta have the edge on paper. But right now, Napoli are moving in the right direction, Atalanta very much the wrong direction. With that in mind, I will take a win for Napoli here.
