Atalanta BC vs. Lecce: Serie A Match Preview, Odds & Predictions

When they host lowly Lecce to Bergamo on Friday, Atalanta BC, who are on course to earn another top-four finish in Serie A, will attempt to solidify third position.

The southern team is only battling for survival, unlike the hosts, who have recently scored back-to-back victories in their pursuit of a Champions League comeback.

Previous Matches and Head-to-head

Atalanta followed their win over Bologna with a crucial 1-0 victory against AC Milan last week, thanks to Ederson's diving header in the Lombardy derby. The result blew Milan's top-four hopes and strengthened Atalanta's third-place grip.

Despite recent struggles, Gian Piero Gasperini's side boasts Serie A's best away record, with one loss in 14 road games. However, their home form has been less reliable, claiming just half their league wins at the Gewiss Stadium. With five games left, they're chasing Bologna, the Rome clubs, and Juventus in a tight top-four race.

Gasperini, expected to depart this summer, will aim to secure a sixth Champions League finish in seven seasons before bowing out.

Meanwhile, Lecce visits in desperate need of points to avoid relegation. After a 4-0 defeat in the reverse fixture and a damaging 3-0 loss to Como last week that sparked fan protests, they sit just a point above the drop. Winless in ten matches and with tough fixtures ahead, Lecce is in grave danger of returning to Serie B after three years in the top flight.

Atalanta BC x Lecce Team News

Raoul Bellanova, who had been playing centre-back for Atalanta due to an injury problem, eventually returned to his usual position and set up Ederson for the game-winning goal against Milan.

Veteran centre defender Rafael Toloi seldom starts, Odilon Kossounou is still not fully healthy after three months out, and Berat Djimsiti hurt his ankle on Sunday.

On Friday night, Gian Piero Gasperini will have another selection dilemma as Stefan Posch joins Sead Kolasinac and Giorgio Scalvini, who have been missing for lengthy periods, in the treatment room.

After only making a short appearance in the match against his previous club due to injury, Belgian attacker Charles De Ketelaere is now in a position to compete for a starting spot up front with Ademola Lookman and Capocannoniere favourite Mateo Retegui.

Lecce will be missing their leading scorer, Nikola Krstovic, who is serving a one-match suspension for yellow card accumulation, along with Medon Berisha.

The departure of the Montenegrin striker, who has contributed to 10 of the Giallorossi's 23 league goals this season, creates a significant hole in the team's offensive depth chart. Potential replacements include Ante Rebic, Konan N'Dri, and Lameck Banda.

Kialonda Gaspar will likely keep playing with captain Federico Baschirotto in the backfield now that Gaby Jean has had surgery to repair a knee injury that ended her season.

Our Predictions

Atalanta to win & Under 3.5 goals @ 1.98 on Sky247.ng

Even though Atalanta has a home-field advantage, Lecce is in shambles after Salentini's controversial board had to decide to support their coach.

La Dea can win their third game in a row and almost guarantee themselves a spot in the Champions League after turning things around with victories against Bologna and Milan.

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