Struggling Atalanta will welcome high-flying Sassuolo to the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia for their Serie A round 22 meeting on Saturday evening.
La Dea were involved in a rather lacklustre 0-0 draw last time out away to Frosinone, whilst Sassuolo conceded two goals in the second half to lost 0-2 at home to Bologna.
The hosts have a poor track record against the visitors, having only won once against them in the league out of five attempts.
Atalanta’s dreadful recent form will worry coach Edy Reja as the draw against Frosinone was their sixth straight match without a victory and the Orobici have plummeted from a promising seventh position in the table to 13th.
Reja’s men will hope that home advantage will come in handy as his team have picked up 17 out of the last 26 points on offer at home.
The 70-year-old will be concerned by the lack of goals scored in recent weeks. scoring just three in six games, and the fourth least prolific attack in the league.
Sassuolo have not won any of their last three games but they remain to be surprise contenders to finish in a European qualification spot this season.
The visitors’ points tally has also been much more evenly spread than their rivals with Eusebio Di Francesco’s side amassing 15 points from their 32 away from the Mapei Stadium.
Atalanta have also been busy in the transfer market selling two of their most prized jewels Maxi Moralez and Alberto Grassi to Club Leon and Napoli respectively. Second top goalscorer German Denis is nearing a move to Argentine club Independiente, too, which could rule him out of action.
Sassuolo have been far less proactive selling Sergio Floccari and buying Stefano Sensi, who has since been sent back on loan to Cesena.
The Orobici are also going to be without Mauricio Pinilla and Gabriel Paletta, whilst Simone Missiroli may return back from injury for the Neroverdi.
Form Guide: Atalanta (L-L-D-D-D) Sassuolo (L-D-L-W-D)
Expected Starting XIs:
Atalanta: Sportiello; Toloi, Masiello, Cherubin; Raimondi, Cigarini, De Roon, Kurtic, Drame; Gomez; Monachello.
Sassuolo: Consigli; Vrsjalko, Cannavaro, Acerbi, Peluso; Biondini, Mangnanelli, Duncan; Berardi, Defrel, Sansone.
