Atalanta is gearing up for an important Serie A clash against Torino FC on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at the Gewiss Stadium. Looking to maintain their competitive edge and keep pace with league leaders Napoli and Inter Milan, Atalanta faces Torino after both teams secured wins in their respective recent matches.
After an exhilarating 2-2 draw against Barcelona midweek, Atalanta is back on home soil, desperate for points. This draw, though filled with memories, raises concerns for Atalanta as injuries mount. Key player Giorgio Scalvini left the match on a stretcher, adding to the team's woes alongside Sead Kolasinac, who was already dealing with fitness issues. Other notable absentees include Gianluca Scamacca and Ademola Lookman, both sidelined due to knee injuries, and Odilon Kossounou, who is dealing with adductor issues. Manager Gian Piero Gasperini, who is eager to secure at least third place, still has Isak Hien returning to bolster his lineup after serving a domestic suspension.
On the other side of the pitch, Torino is coming off a victory against Cagliari, presenting their own set of challenges and opportunities for Atalanta. Torino's manager Paolo Vanoli will welcome back defender Ali Dembele from suspension, but the Granata will miss Duvan Zapata and Perr Schuurs, who are recovering from long-term knee injuries. Recent injuries also kept key players Ivan Ilic and Mergim Vojvoda from participating, complicATING their match strategy.
According to Betfred Insights, this positioning has led to Atalanta being tagged as the clear 4/9 favorites for the match. This estimate reflects both their position on the table and their playoff ambitions. The betting odds indicate strong confidence from bookmakers as Atalanta aims to solidify their stance among the top teams.
The available odds suggest various outcomes and strategies for punters. The potential for the match to end as a draw is pegged at 100/30, which analysts described as appealing, especially considering Atalanta's three draws out of their last five league games. With the team struggling recently for victories, some bettors might find this favorable. The outright win for Torino stands at 7/1, which might seem ambitious but is underscored by their earlier successful outing against Atalanta this season, adding layers of intrigue to the betting dynamic.
For those considering both teams to score (BTTS), the odds are set at 11/10. The fact combined with Atalanta winning gives favorable odds of 12/5, indicating a strong possibility — on paper— of both teams finding the net as Atalanta continues to concede goals with regularity, having allowed at least one goal during 36% of their matches this season.
Notably, Mateo Retegui, Torino's star striker, is highlighted as a key player to watch. Following his two-goal performance against Como, Retegui's odds for scoring anytime have been set at 6/5 due to his impressive scoring run with 16 league goals up till now. Some betting enthusiasts may find more value backed as the last goalscorer at 18/5 rather than the first goalscorer; this approach might capture the fact Atalanta's strategy could yield earlier goals depending on the match flow before Retegui might capitalize late.
With both teams under pressure to acquire points, Saturday's matchup at the Gewiss Stadium promises to be more than just another game. It's about positioning for potential Champions League qualification, salvaging their Serie A hopes, and showcasing the players who might influence the outcome. Football aficionados and bettors alike will be watching to see if Atalanta can bounce back from their recent struggles, or if Torino can find their form against one of the league's formidable teams.
This Saturday evening confrontation is set to be fierce and closely contested. With home advantage and the weight of respective histories on the pitch, both teams will be laying it all on the line to achieve what could be pivotal results for their campaigns.