Atalanta BC play host to Spezia Calcio on Wednesday evening looking for the win which will keep the club very much in the hunt for the top six in the Serie A standings.
Meanwhile, Spezia head into the contest needing a positive result to move clear of the relegation zone, the visitors only out of the bottom three on goal difference.
Match preview
© Reuters
Although Atalanta's season has been perceived to be negative in recent months, their upturn in results and inconsistency of the teams above them means that Champions League qualification remains a possibility.
Seven points from games against Fiorentina, Roma and Torino have moved Gian Piero Gasperini's side to within six points of second-placed Lazio with six games left.
With four home fixtures left on their schedule and meetings with Juventus and Inter Milan still to come, Atalanta's fate is in their own hands ahead of one of their most favourable matches on paper.
Atalanta's home form has not necessarily been that great this season, however, with just seven wins coming from 15 matches at the Gewiss Stadium.
Gasperini has witnessed his side score decisive late goals in their most recent two triumphs, something which will not have gone unnoticed by their upcoming opponents.
© Reuters
Spezia have conceded in the 89th minute or later in two of their last three games, albeit the strikes in question only led to wider losing margins.
Leonardo Semplici's side have posted four draws in six outings to at least keep outside of the bottom three, but they remain with just one victory in 16 matches.
As many as four draws have come in five away fixtures, an impressive feat given their current predicament, yet Semplici will know that they need to get back to winning ways as soon as possible.
This fixture has already taken place in the Coppa Italia earlier in the campaign, Atalanta running out 5-2 victors on that occasion in January.
- W
- W
- L
- D
- W
- W
- L
- D
- D
- L
- D
- L
Team News
© Reuters
Gasperini will consider replacing Rasmus Hojlund with Duvan Zapata, who scored Atalanta's late winner at Torino having been introduced as an early second-half substitute.
Jose Luis Palomino may also come into the Atalanta XI, although Gasperini will be against making too many changes to a winning team.
Meanwhile, Semplici could opt to freshen up his Spezia side with Arkadiusz Reca and Kevin Agudelo in contention to return at left-back and in the final third.
Dimitrios Nikolaou may also get the nod in the middle of defence ahead of Przemyslaw Wisniewski.
Winger Emmanuel Gyasi is one yellow card from having to serve a ban, something which may come into consideration.
Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:
Sportiello; Toloi, Djimsiti, Scalvini; Maehle, De Roon, Ederson, Zappacosta; Koopmeiners, Pasalic; Zapata
Spezia possible starting lineup:
Dragowski; Amian, Ampadu, Nikolaou, Reca; Ekdal, Esposito, Kovalenko; Gyasi, Shomurodov, Verde
We say: Atalanta BC 2-0 Spezia
Atalanta are beginning to find some form at just the right time, while Spezia are becoming more desperate to end their winless streak. Taking both things into consideration, we can only see the home side running out comfortable victors.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.