Atalanta vs AC Milan: Preview, Team News, and Predictions

On Friday, December 6, 2023, the Serie A clash between Atalanta BC and AC Milan promises to be an exhilarating encounter as both teams engage in a critical battle for the Scudetto. The game kicks off at 20:45 CET at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo.

Team News

Atalanta

Atalanta BC comes into this match with remarkable momentum, looking to extend their current winning streak to nine consecutive games in Serie A. This is an unprecedented achievement for the club, having never reached more than eight consecutive league wins in their history. Under the guidance of Gian Piero Gasperini, Atalanta has successfully sought to reinforce their squad, signing key players like Charles De Ketelaere, who is now integral to their attacking setup alongside Ademola Lookman.

• Injuries: Atalanta will be missing several players due to injury, including Juan Cuadrado and Gianluca Scamacca, both crucial to the squad's depth.
• Recent Performance: With their last match resulting in a substantial 6-1 victory over Young Boys in the UEFA Champions League, the team is also undefeated this season in Europe. Their last league win against Roma further solidified their standing as strong title contenders.

AC Milan

On the other hand, AC Milan is attempting to reclaim its position in the league, sitting seven points behind their regional rivals at the start of this fixtures list. Coach Paulo Fonseca has been vocal about the pressure on his players, especially after their impressive victories against teams like Real Madrid and Empoli. Milan has shown signs of resurgence lately, making changes to their starting lineup to keep players fresh for this crucial match.

• Injuries: The Rossoneri will miss Luka Jovic, Ismael Bennacer, and Alessandro Florenzi, but Mike Maignan and Theo Hernandez will return to the starting eleven.
• Recent Performance: After a 6-1 drubbing of Sassuolo in the Coppa Italia, the team's confidence is visibly rising, although they remain inconsistent in league play.

Predicted Lineups

Atalanta (3-4-1-2)

• Goalkeeper: Carnesecchi
• Defence: Kossounou, Hien, Kolasinac
• Midfield: Bellanova, Ederson, De Roon, Ruggeri
• Attack: Pasalic; De Ketelaere, Lookman

AC Milan (4-2-3-1)

• Goalkeeper: Maignan
• Defence: Emerson, Gabbia, Thiaw, Hernandez
• Midfield: Fofana, Reijnders
• Attack: Musah, Pulisic, Leao, Morata

Head-to-Head Stats

H2H statistics reveal an interesting contest, with AC Milan holding a slight upper hand overall in their encounters. Over the course of 146 competitive matches, Milan has achieved 69 wins compared to Atalanta's 29, with 48 games ending in draws. However, Atalanta won the first league meeting last season and has been in great form this year, making the upcoming encounter highly anticipated.

Key Facts:

• Atalanta is currently on a record run, scoring at least two goals in their last 11 home games.
• Milan has only managed to secure two away wins this season, highlighting their inconsistent form on the road.
• The match features some of the top performers in the league, including De Ketelaere and Lookman for Atalanta, and Leao and Pulisic for Milan, all vying for crucial goals and assists.

Predictions

This match is poised to be a classic Serie A showdown, and both teams' attacking prowess hints at a high-scoring affair. While Atalanta seeks to maintain their title chase, Milan's resilience and recent victories could provide the motivation they need to cause an upset. Expect a fiercely competitive match, with insights suggesting a 1-1 draw as a likely outcome, though either team could snatch all three points in a tightly contested fixture.

Conclusion

As Atalanta and AC Milan clash, both sides will look to bolster their respective standings in the Serie A. With so much at stake, fans and analysts alike anticipate a thrilling contest that may just shape the title race in the weeks to come.