After ten wins in a row they were at the top of Serie A, Atalanta BC will aim to celebrate Christmas as Italy’s number one when they host Empoli on Sunday evening.

After La Dea increased their remarkable winning streak to double digits last weekend, this is now possible first place from Napoli – but their guests come to Bergamo with an impressive away record.

Game preview

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Atalanta set a new club record for consecutive wins in Serie A last week and made it to a perfect 10, edging out Cagliari Nicolo Zaniolo‘s goal and a great series of saves from Marco Carnesecchi.

As a result, they have now taken maximum points in 12 of 16 league games this season and a sustained battle for the Scudetto appears to be in sight Gian Piero Gasperini‘s men.

In the middle an exciting title raceThe Bergamaschi can claim to have four trophies in their sights as they look to build on a memorable Europa League triumph in Dublin.

Atalanta are also ready to take part in the upcoming Supercoppa Italiana and started their latest cup campaign in style on Wednesday night as they returned to the Coppa Italia for the first time since their defeat to Juventus in last season’s final.

A goalscorer in recent high-profile games against Real Madrid and his former club AC Milan. Charles De Ketelaere He scored a brace in La Dea’s 6-1 win over modest Serie B side Cesena, setting up a quarter-final clash with his colleague Champions League Page Bologna in February.

Having lost just one of their 12 top-flight home games against Empoli, their winning streak is expected to be extended this weekend, but stern taskmaster Gasperini will be the first to guard against any complacency.

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Home or away, Empoli have lost the clubs’ last four meetings by an aggregate score of 9-1, so recent history will not be on their side at the Gewiss Stadium.

However, they can head to Lombardy with one of the best away records in Serie A: their record of 12 points from eight away games is only bettered by five teams – one of which is of course Atalanta.

After starting December with away wins against local rivals Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia and then in the league against Hellas Verona, the Azzurri’s baffling lack of success on home soil continued last weekend.

Beaten by a spectacular blow Che Adamswho threw boldly Devis Vasquez From the halfway line at the Stadio Castellani, Empoli secured a place in the top half the table – but their goal of achieving safety in Serie A is still on track.

Roberto D’AversaThe Italy side have been plagued by injuries throughout the season, yet they continue to exceed expectations and will have little to lose when they take on Italy’s most feared frontline.

Atalanta BC Serie A form:

Atalanta BC form (all competitions):

Form of Empoli Serie A:

Empoli form (all competitions):

Team news

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Gian Piero Gasperini is facing several changes to his cup team and is desperate to replace the Atalanta captain Marten De Roon on Sunday as the Dutch midfielder will miss the game due to suspension.

Ederson should therefore be supplemented by both Mario Pasalic or Marco Brescianini in the hosts’ engine room Ademola Lookman and Charles De Ketelaere assists the top goalscorer Mateo Retegui in front.

Giorgio Scalvini (Shoulder) joins the long-term absentee again Gianluca Scamacca (ACL) on the sidelines, but full-back Matteo Ruggeri should overcome an ankle problem.

Meanwhile, the selection problems at Empoli continue as is Ola Solbakken underwent surgery for a shoulder injury sustained during training Pietro Pellegri, Tyronne Ebuehi, Saba Sazonov And Nicolas Haas are also excluded.

Aside from that, Mattia De Sciglio will be suspended after his red card against Turin, but there is also better news for Roberto D’Aversa: Liam Henderson returns after a one-game suspension while Jacopo Fazzini And Szymon Zurkowski Both are back in full training.

On loan from Milan in Pellegri’s absence Lorenzo Colombo is the Azzurri’s offensive spearhead and all three of his league goals this season have come away.

Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:
Carnesecchi; Kossounou, Hien, Kolasinac; Bellanova, Pasalic, Ederson, Zappacosta; De Ketelaere, Lookman; Retegui

Empoli possible starting lineup:
Vasquez; Goglichidze, Ismajli, Viti; Gyasi, Anjorin, Henderson, Maleh, Pezzella; Esposito, Colombo

We say: Atalanta BC 2-0 Empoli

Atalanta have drawn just one of their last 23 home games in Serie A – and none since mid-April – while also scoring an average of 2.6 goals per game.

So a clear result is to be expected and even Empoli’s admirable away record cannot help them beat La Dea.

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