Juventus vs Atalanta Preview

December 15, 2012 By Gregory Sica

The Italian champions will be looking to extend their lead at the league summit when they entertain mid-table Atalanta.

With four wins on the trot Juventus have evidently returned to their top form in recent weeks, and are expected to extend their impressive winning streak against Atalanta at the Juventus Stadium on Sunday.

La Vecchia Signora currently hold a four-point lead over second-placed Inter Milan, and could possibly make this seven points by the end of the round, if they manage to overcome Atalanta and Inter lose against Lazio on Saturday.

Antonio Conte, who recently returned to the Juventus dugout after serving a four-month ban for his involvement in a match-fixing scandal, will definitely rate his team's chances against an Atalanta outfit that have only won two games on the road this season.

However, the coach will be unable to count on the services of a few players, such as Arturo Vidal and Nicklas Bendtner. Both players were injured in Juve's midweek Coppa Italia victory over Cagliari.

According to reports, former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba is expected to replace the hard-working Chilean, while Mirko Vucinic and Sebastian Giovinco will be Conte's desired strike-force.

Other players who will miss the match include Simone Pepe and Leonardo Bonucci, while Emanuele Giaccherini is in serious doubt of missing out as well.

Meanwhile, Atalanta coach Stefano Colantuono faces few injury concerns ahead of the clash, as the only player of note who is set to miss out is goalkeeper Andrea Consigli. He will likely be replaced by Ciro Polito.

Atalanta, who currently lie in 10th position of the 20-team league, will surely come into the clash as the clear underdogs, but will be aiming to pull off what would be a huge upset with the help of the Argentine attacking duo of Maxi Moralez and German Denis.

The visitors have lost four successive league games against Juventus, having scored four goals and conceded a whopping twelve.