Despite Europa League football not returning until next week, there is still some football to be played this Thursday. One of those games sees Atalanta play host to Bologna in Serie A.

STATS

• Atalanta have enjoyed a great season so far and are still very much in contention for a Champions League place as they currently sit 5^th four points outside the top four. Thursday provides their game-in-hand following a run of three wins in their last four matches. They came from behind to beat Parma 3-1 last time out.
• Bologna, on the other hand, are in great danger of relegation as they are currently 18^th in the bottom three. They are in surprisingly top form though as they picked up three victories in their last three games, including a 2-1 home win against Sassuolo.
• Duvan Zapata has been fantastic in recent weeks and is now hunting the Golden Boot, he is joint 3^rd in the standings with 19 league goals.
• Bologna have struggled to find the back of the net so far this term as their leading scorer, Federico Santander only has six goals in Serie A.

HEAD TO HEAD

Atalanta will take plenty of confidence from their recent record against Bologna as they have won each of the last six meetings between the sides, including the reverse fixture this season which they won 2-1. Bologna’s last win at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia came 10 years ago back in 2009 so it is far from a happy hunting ground for them. There have been over 2.5 goals in two of the last five meetings with both teams scoring in both of those games.

ATALANTA NEWS

Atalanta can close the gap on the top four to just a single point if they win on Thursday. They can take confidence from their lack of injuries as only Marco Varnier and Rafael Toloi are the only doubts.

Latest matches: Atalanta Bergamasca

31.03.2019	Seri	Parma FC	Atalanta Bergamasca	1:3	W
17.03.2019	Seri	Atalanta Bergamasca	AC Chievo Verona	1:1	D
10.03.2019	Seri	Sampdoria Genoa	Atalanta Bergamasca	1:2	W
03.03.2019	Seri	Atalanta Bergamasca	AC Fiorentina	3:1	W
27.02.2019	Copp	AC Fiorentina	Atalanta Bergamasca	3:3	D

BOLOGNA NEWS

Another win for the visitors would take them out of the drop zone but it won’t be easy against one of the division’s best sides. Blerim Dzemaili, Federico Santander and Simone Edera all face late fitness tests.

Latest matches: Bologna FC

31.03.2019	Seri	Bologna FC	US Sassuolo	2:1	W
16.03.2019	Seri	Turin FC	Bologna FC	2:3	W
10.03.2019	Seri	Bologna FC	Cagliari Calcio	2:0	W
03.03.2019	Seri	Udinese Calcio	Bologna FC	2:1	L
24.02.2019	Seri	Bologna FC	Juventus Turin	0:1	L

SUMMARY

With a potential place in the Champions League in their sights, this is certainly Atalanta’s game to lose and I expect them to win comfortably, by at least two goals. That is why backing them to win with a -1 handicap looks a good price.