Atalanta vs Sampdoria

In-form Atalanta and hot relegation candiates Sampdoria face each other in a high-stakes Serie A match-up at the Gewiss Stadium.

Atalanta’s pursuit of a fourth top-four Serie A finish in five seasons is back on track after Gian Piero Gasperini’s men tallied a staggering 16 goals across their last three competitive outings (W2, D1), including an action-packed 3-3 draw at Juventus last time out. Unbeaten in four consecutive league games (W2, D2) since the Serie A resumption in 2023, ‘La Dea’ now lag only two points behind fourth-placed Inter Milan. Sampdoria’s visit to Bergamo will likely enhance Atalanta’s lofty ambitions, considering they’ve won their last four league H2Hs via multi-goal margins while keeping three clean sheets in the process. Moreover, they’ve suffered just one defeat across their last 29 Serie A encounters against sides starting a matchday 25+ points behind them in the standings (W21, D7)!

Meanwhile, Sampdoria opened their 2023 proceedings with a morale-boosting 2-1 win at fellow relegation rivals Sassuolo but have since slumped to four straight defeats in all competitions, failing to get on the scoresheet on each occasion. Left to pick up the slacks following a heartbreaking 1-0 home loss to Udinese last time out, under-fire manager Dejan Stankovic faces an uphill task of masterminding a turnaround, with Sampdoria already eight points off the survival pace. Indeed, the visitors have amassed only nine points at the halfway point of the season, accounting for their worst-ever points tally at this stage of Serie A campaign in their top-flight history. After losing three of their last four away league matches (W1), they have every reason for fearing for their prospects in Bergamo.