Serie A 2019-20: Atalanta vs Juventus preview, predicted line-ups and key facts
Match preview
Club football resumes across Europe after the international break which saw the final two matchdays of qualification action for Euro 2020.
On matchday 13, league leaders and eight-time defending champions Juventus travel to the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia to face fifth-placed Atalanta in the Serie A.
In 116 previous meetings between the two clubs, Juventus have won 65 times, drawing 40 games, and losing just 11 times. However, the Bianconeri haven't won at Atalanta in their last 3 visits, drawing 2-2 on each occasion. Atalanta are winless at home against the record-Serie A winners in 14 games since a 2-0 win in the 2000-01 season.
Among 20 different teams faced by Cristiano Ronaldo in the Serie A, the Juventus marksman has scored against 17, Atalanta being one of them. The Portugal captain would look to carry over his recent strong form with his national team onto the club arena and end a two-game scoring drought.
The Bianconeri would be keen to get back on the winning trail against Atalanta against whom they drew both fixtures last season. Juventus would be mindful to avoid any hiccups as second-placed Internazionale are only a point adrift of the league leaders.
A win for Atlanta over the defending Serie A champions would propel the Champions League debutants into the top-four of the league table.
Kick-off information
Date: 23 November 2019.
Time: 12:30 hours (local time).
Venue: Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia, Bergamo.
TV Coverage: Ten Sports HD 2 (India).
Form Guide
Atalanta
Atalanta have lost 2 of their 12 Serie A games this season. It is the fewest in the Italian top-flight, behind the leading duo of Juventus (0) and Internazionale (1).
Colombian striker Luis Muriel (8) is the Nerazurri's top-goal scorer in the Serie A this season, behind Ciro Immobile (14) and Romelu Lukaku (9) in the league's scoring charts. Muriel's compatriot Duvan Zapata has scored 7 Serie A goals this season.
Juventus
Juventus are the only unbeaten team in the Serie A after 12 games of the 2019-20 season, having won ten games and drawn twice.
Cristiano Ronaldo, with 5 goals, is the Bianconeri's top goal-scorer this season in the Serie A.
Juve custodian Wojciech Szczesny is one of 5 goalkeepers in the Serie A this season to have kept at least 4 clean sheets, one behind Juan Musso of Udinese Calcio.
Last 5 Serie A games (most recent game first)
Juventus: W-W-W-D-W.
Atalanta: D-L-D-W-D
Last 5 away games (Juventus)
The record-32 times Serie A winners have won 3 of their 5 Serie A away games this season. Juventus's last league defeat on the road came on the last matchday of the 2018-19 season when the already crowned champions fell to a 2-0 defeat at Sampdoria.
Juventus: W-D-W-W-D.
Last 5 home games (Atalanta)
Despite their impressive domestic form this season, both of Atalanta's Serie A defeats this season have come at home.
Atalanta: L-W-W-D-L
Head-to-head
Juventus have met Atalanta on 128 occasions in the past, with a majority of those games (116) materialising in the Serie A.
In all competitions
Atalanta: 15 wins
Juventus: 70 wins
Draws: 43.
In Serie A
Atalanta: 11 wins
Juventus: 65 wins
Draws 40.
Team news
Atalanta
Ruslan Malinovsky and Josip Ilicic are unavailable due to suspension. Remo Freuler is out with an injury while Colombian striker Duvan Zapata is a doubtful starter.
Juventus
Alex Sandro, Miralem Pjanic, Blaise Matuidi and Giorgio Chiellini are unavailable due to injuries while Matia Perin is a doubtful starter.
Probable Line-ups
Atalanta: Gollini; Toloi, Djimsiti, Palomino; Castagne, De Roon, Freuler, Gosens; Pasalic; Gomez, Zapata.
Juventus: Szczesny; Cuadrado, Bonucci, De Ligt, De Sciglio; Khedira, Pjanic, Matuidi; Bernardeschi; Higuain, Ronaldo.
Odds
Atalanta to win: 3.0.
Juventus to win: 2.3.
Draw: 3.50
All the above odds are courtesy Bet365.
Key match facts
#1: Juventus are the only unbeaten team in Serie A this season
After 12 matchdays of the 2019-20 Serie A season, league leaders and 8-time defending champions Juventus are the only top-flight team in Italy not to have endured a defeat.
#2: Atalanta's 2 Serie A defeats this season have both come at home
Champions League debutants Atalanta are one of 6 Serie A teams to have lost twice this season. However the Bergamo team have suffered both of those reverses at home, losing 2-3 to Tonirno on the second matchday of the season and falling to a 0-2 home defeat to Cagliari on matchday-11.
# 3: Juventus are unbeaten against Atlanta since the 2001-02 season
The Bianconeri are unbeaten in 28 games (won 22, drawn 6) since a 0-2 defeat at Atalanta in the 2001-02 season.
