Atalanta vs Parma Predictions

• Atalanta have scored the most goals in Serie A this term – 43.
• The hosts have conceded 1.75 goals per home game this term.
• Atalanta have failed to win 6 of their 7 clashes with top half sides this term.
• Parma are unbeaten in their last 5 away games.

European Showdown

Atalanta capped off a great 2019 with a 5-0 thumping of AC Milan, a victory which continued their push for a place in next season’s Champions League. However, la Dea have been joined in the European battle by a couple of surprise names – including Parma.

The visitors make this trip after moving into the top seven, with a real chance of making it into Europe this season. A seventh-place finish could be enough for the side who returned to Serie A in 2018. After years away from the top, Parma head into 2020 aiming to make a return to the European stage.

Atalanta’s Goal-den Year

The hosts are coming off an incredible year, with their attacking style firing them to fourth place. Atalanta scored 81 Serie A goals in 2019, their best ever such tally in a single calendar year – their previous record was also under Gasperini (64 in 2017 and 67 in 2018). On top of that, the hosts have scored the most goals in Serie A this season (43); 16 of the 18 previous sides to have scored as many goals after their first 17 Serie A matchdays have ended the campaign in the top three of the table.

That should set them up for a good result on Monday. No side has conceded more Serie A goals than Parma in 2019 (58, level with Udinese). However, both sides know that Parma have threat on their own. Atalanta just sold Parma-loanee Dejan Kulusevski to Juventus for £30million, who kept him on loan at the Crociati. Kulusevski and Jadon Sancho were the only two players born after 1/1/1999 have made 7+ assists in the big-5 European Leagues in 2019/20. The winger is expected to have a big future.

Hosts Chase Winning Start

Atalanta are unbeaten in their last four Serie A meetings against Parma and could avoid defeat in five in a row for the very first time. They aren’t exactly great against stronger sides though, having failed to win all but one of their clashes with top-half teams this season. Atalanta have conceded in six of those seven clashes, while they’ve shipped 1.75 goals per game at home.

The hosts have seen both teams score in 75% of their home games this season, with the hosts keeping one clean sheet at their own ground this term. Parma have found the net in 75% of their trips, so we’re backing them to hurt the hosts. Meanwhile, Atalanta are in great shape going forward, so both teams to score is our pick in this one.

Parma are unbeaten in their last five Serie A away games (W2 D3), and they could avoid defeat in six such matches in a row for the first time since March 2014. Given their form we see them getting something here. Considering Atalanta’s record against top-half sides, we’re backing them to drop more points here. With over 3.5 goals landing in 88% of Atalanta’s games, we’re backing a third 2-2 draw for Parma on the road this term.