The weekend is over, but the Serie A fixtures aren’t. Two interesting matches remain, part of the now-standard Monday fixture list. Atalanta host Venezia in the early kick-off, with both teams looking to break out of their poor runs of form. Later, we’ll see Torino take on Udinese, who aren’t in much better shape either. Below you’ll find our expert tips and predictions for both Serie A matches on Monday.
Atalanta’s good form lasted exactly two weeks at the start of the season, and they now go into this match on the back of three consecutive defeats. It is true that their recent opponents were not easy, but in any case, one would have expected them to have gone home with more than 0 points from three matches. Venezia are in an even worse position, having not even come close to a win since the start of the season, when they won a single match in the Coppa Italia. With six consecutive defeats and conceding two or more goals in every match since then, the visitors’ fate this season seems all but sealed. Atalanta won’t get a better chance to pick up three points, and if they don’t capitalise here, it means their problems run much deeper than just a short-term dip in form.
Udinese are yet another side that got off to a brilliant start, which was quickly forgotten following their three consecutive defeats before the international break. Torino, on the other hand, have been struggling right from the start of the campaign and, although they do manage to score the odd goal, they lack the stamina to maintain a good performance for a full 90 minutes. So far, they’ve managed just one win in five matches, and that came against Fiorentina, who have been in the relegation zone since the start of the season. This looks set to be a closely fought match, and it’s genuinely difficult to say which team has the better chance. Neither side is showing much promise at the moment. This is a match I’d normally give a wide berth when it comes to betting, but there’s a reasonable case to be made for a draw as the final result; perhaps 1-1.
Richie Sagrado is caught offside. John Yeboah (Venezia) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Nikola Krstovic (Atalanta) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Davide Zappacosta (Atalanta) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Franck Kessie (Atalanta) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Matías Moreno (Venezia) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Raoul Bellanova (Atalanta) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Redouane Halhal (Venezia) header from the left side of the six yard box misses to the right. Kike Pérez (Venezia) wins a free kick on the right wing. John Yeboah (Venezia) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Thomas Kristensen (Atalanta) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right. Jonathan Rowe (Atalanta) right footed shot from long range on the left is blocked. Jonathan Rowe (Atalanta) wins a free kick on the left wing.
