Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
After an inconsistent start to the season, Atalanta could do with finding some rhythm as we inch closer towards autumn and they now welcome newly-promoted and still winless Como to Bergamo this weekend.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Monday 23rd September, 2024 - UK – 7:45pm / US ET – 2:45pm / US PT – 11:45am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Not televised / US – Select matches will be televised on CBS Sports so it is worth checking their schedule
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – OneFootball / US – Paramount+
ATALANTA PREVIEW: ANOTHER EVOLUTION OF ATALANTA
Ever since being appointed as Atalanta boss back in 2016, Gian Piero Gasperini has had to evolve their style and team throughout his tenure with the Bergamasci still generally a selling club. However, after winning the 2024 UEFA Europa League in May, Atalanta do probably have higher expectations than they have had before.
It has been a tricky start to the campaign with just two victories in their opening six matches across all competitions. They have been improved after the September international break, though, with a 3-2 defeat of Fiorentina last weekend followed with a good performance and a goalless draw against Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League in midweek.
COMO PREVIEW: CESC’S COMO
Former Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona legendary central midfielder Cesc Fabregas was not officially in charge of Como as they won the Serie B title last season but after finally completing his coaching badges, he is now the main man – officially. His Como side have had an ambitious summer transfer window in terms of recruiting big and recognisable names.
The visitors have started the season needing to learn a lot as each week goes by, beginning the season with a 3-0 defeat to Juventus in Turin but having since suffered just one more loss in their last three matches. They most recently shared a more than respectable 2-2 draw away against Bologna.
ATALANTA TEAM NEWS: SETTLING DOWN
After a turbulent summer transfer window in which key players refused to train, Gian Piero Gasperini is now able to cultivate a more settled eleven, especially in attack.
The developing front three of Charles De Ketelaere, Ademola Lookman and Mateo Retegui is an impressive one but there are still some key defensive issues for this one.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac; Bellanova, De Roon, Ederson, Ruggeri; De Ketelaere, Lookman; Retegui
UNAVAILABLE: Godfrey (Injured), Scalvini (Injured), Toloi (Injured), Scamacca (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
COMO TEAM NEWS: FRESH CONCERNS
Cramming so many new signings into a cohesive line-up is a tough ask for any coach but especially one as young and as inexperienced as Cesc Fabregas is.
He remains without Raphael Varane, who got injured upon arrival in Italy, whilst there are some fresh absentees, too, such as Federico Barba and Alberto Dossena.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Audero; Iovine, Van Der Brempt, Kempf, Alberto Moreno; Maximo Perrone, Sergi Roberto; Strefezza, Nico Paz, Fadera; Cutrone
UNAVAILABLE: Barba (Injured), Dossena (Injured), Varane (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
ATALANTA VS COMO PREDICTION
There is an expectation that this one is an absolute thriller for the neutral. Atalanta are always good fun to watch but perhaps lack even more control than usual, especially with injuries to Giorgio Scalvini and Rafael Toloi. As suggested, Como have an intention to play front football themselves, too, so would be expected to play on the front foot and have started scoring goals. Atalanta are favourites for what could be a high-scoring encounter.
ATALANTA VS COMO TIP: ATALANTA TO WIN & OVER 2.5 GOALS