Jan Novak
Dailysports's expert
In the 1/8 final of the Coppa Italia, Atalanta will face Cesena. The match will take place in Bergamo on Wednesday, December 18. The kick-off is scheduled for 18:30 Central European Time. I suggest a bet on the game's goal total.
Match Preview
Atalanta is having a fantastic season and has already set a new club record for consecutive wins in Serie A. Gian Piero Gasperini's side looks like the most stable team and rightfully leads the league table.
In the Champions League, Atalanta has a good chance to make it into the top 8, and their place in the knockout stages is not in doubt. "La Dea" is certainly capable of surprising all of European football.
Cesena has spent the last ten years trying to return to Italy's top division. Last season, the team easily won Serie C and returned to the second division.
This season, the team is doing well, currently in the playoff zone, sitting in 5th place after 17 matches. Interestingly, Cesena has already eliminated a Serie A team, Verona, in the Coppa Italia.
Match Facts
- Atalanta has won the last six home games.
- Cesena has lost the last two away matches.
- Atalanta scores an average of 2.8 goals per game at home, while Cesena scores an average of 1.2 goals per game away.
Predicted Lineups
- Atalanta: Carnesecchi, Djimsiti, Godfrey, Toloi, Brescia, Ruggeri, Bellanova, Samardzic, Zaniolo, de Roon, Lookman.
- Cesena: Klinsmann, Mangraviti, Prestia, Curto, Francesconi, Donnarumma, Kalo, Ceau, Berti, Antonucci, Spendi.
Head-to-Head
Atalanta has not lost to Cesena in over 35 years.
Prediction
Atalanta, even with a semi-reserve lineup, is capable of securing a comfortable victory. Cesena will struggle to compete with Gasperini's powerful team, and I recommend betting on the total to be over 2.5 goals.
