Juventus will be looking to extend their 18-game unbeaten run when they visit Atalanta in what is expected to be a hotly contested encounter.
Serie A leaders Juventus are hoping to extend their impressive 18-game unbeaten run when they travel to Bergamo to take on Atalanta at the Atleti Azzurri d'Italia stadium on Saturday.
Despite being held to a frustrating home draw by Cagliari last week, the Bianconeri still overtook Milan at the top of the league standings, after the Italian champions were edged out by city rivals Inter Milan at the San Siro on Sunday.
However, if Juventus intend to maintain league leadership they will have to be on top of their game against a difficult Atalanta side whose only home defeat of the season came against Milan a little less than a fortnight ago.
Due to Atalanta's good home record, it is likely to be a very hotly contested encounter, as both sides are in much need of the three points, even if they find themselves on opposite ends of the table.
Atalanta, who started the 2011-12 Serie A season with a six-point penalty for being found guilty in the Calcioscommesse betting scandal, come into the game having lost their last two matches, and if they continue with their recent downfall they could return to the Serie B next season.
Juventus will rate their chances of returning to Turin with the three points, and have reason to be as with 4 wins and 5 draws from nine away matches this season, they surely know a thing or two about playing in rival territory.
Veteran midfielder Antonio Pirlo has been able to pull the strings in the Juve midfield to great effect alongside Claudio Marchisio and Arturo Vidal this season, and his display on Saturday could likely determine the outcome of the match.
Antonio Conte, the coach of Juventus, will be unable to count with the services of Dutch international Eljero Elia, who is sidelined with an ankle injury, while Fabio Quagliarella will also miss the match after undergoing surgery on his fractured cheekbone.
Meanwhile, Atalanta coach Stefano Colantuono will be able to field a full-strength side, apart from the suspended duo of Stefano Lucchini and Carlos Carmona.
Juventus have a significantly favourable history against Atalanta, with 21 victories and only 7 losses from 49 matches. The last game between the sides in 2009 finished 5-2 in favour of the Bianconeri, with former players Mauro Camoranesi scoring twice, and Felipe Melo, Diego and David Trezeguet also finding the back of the net for the victors.
Despite being held to a frustrating home draw by Cagliari last week, the Bianconeri still overtook Milan at the top of the league standings, after the Italian champions were edged out by city rivals Inter Milan at the San Siro on Sunday.
However, if Juventus intend to maintain league leadership they will have to be on top of their game against a difficult Atalanta side whose only home defeat of the season came against Milan a little less than a fortnight ago.
Due to Atalanta's good home record, it is likely to be a very hotly contested encounter, as both sides are in much need of the three points, even if they find themselves on opposite ends of the table.
Atalanta, who started the 2011-12 Serie A season with a six-point penalty for being found guilty in the Calcioscommesse betting scandal, come into the game having lost their last two matches, and if they continue with their recent downfall they could return to the Serie B next season.
Juventus will rate their chances of returning to Turin with the three points, and have reason to be as with 4 wins and 5 draws from nine away matches this season, they surely know a thing or two about playing in rival territory.
Veteran midfielder Antonio Pirlo has been able to pull the strings in the Juve midfield to great effect alongside Claudio Marchisio and Arturo Vidal this season, and his display on Saturday could likely determine the outcome of the match.
Antonio Conte, the coach of Juventus, will be unable to count with the services of Dutch international Eljero Elia, who is sidelined with an ankle injury, while Fabio Quagliarella will also miss the match after undergoing surgery on his fractured cheekbone.
Meanwhile, Atalanta coach Stefano Colantuono will be able to field a full-strength side, apart from the suspended duo of Stefano Lucchini and Carlos Carmona.
Juventus have a significantly favourable history against Atalanta, with 21 victories and only 7 losses from 49 matches. The last game between the sides in 2009 finished 5-2 in favour of the Bianconeri, with former players Mauro Camoranesi scoring twice, and Felipe Melo, Diego and David Trezeguet also finding the back of the net for the victors.
