Juventus will aim to keep their run at home ongoing when they will face rivals Atalanta in Turin, with Igor Tudor eager to keep pace with Napoli at the top of the Serie A table

Juventus have enjoyedd a solid start to the new season ahead of the big game against Atalanta, and Igor Tudor’s appointment as the permanent manager is paying dividends. Having started the new campaign in full swing, the Bianconeri have collected 19 points out of a possible 12 in Serie A so far, having dropped their first set last weekend.

Before last weekend, Tudor’s men had a few challenging outings, including a top-notch 4-3 win over title rivals Inter Milan. However, when they went away to Hellas Verona, it turned out to be tougher than anticipated as Francisco Conceicao’s opener was cancelled out by Gift Orban’s penalty amid controversial circumstances.

Juventus’s performance on the road was reminiscent of some of the displays under former boss Thiago Motta, who was incidentally sacked from his role after a 4-0 humbling at the hands of next opponents Atalanta. Juventus are expected to rival the Bergamo giants in their primary quest for UEFA Champions League finish, but the Bianconeri are eyeing a spot as title challengers, and will aim for a win on Saturday.

Ivan Juric has not had the best of starts as Gian Piero Gasperini’s successor in Bergamo. While La dea have stayed unbeaten in Serie A, there have been two wins and as many unerwhelming draws at newly promoted Pisa at home and then away at Parma.

Their two wins since have come in a thumping fashion, with big victories over Lecce and Torino coming either side of a 4-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in their UEFA Champions League opener. However, ahead of their visit to Turin to face Juventus, they actually have a formidable record at the venue, where they are unbeaten in seven visits while losing just once against the Bianconeri in their last eleven games.

Team News & Tactics

Juventus

Igor Tudor will likely have key defender Gleison Bremer back in contention after the Brazilian centre-backs rested against Hellas Verona with a minor knee injury. So, Pierre Kalulu is likely to be shifted to a wing-back role. Fabio Miretti and Arkadiusz Milik are the ones missing out on action at the current moment.

Tudor will unlikely make big changes to his preferred starting lineup, while using his preferred midfield setup of Manuel Locatelli and Khephren Thuram. Kalulu and Andrea Cambiaso will feature in the wing-back roles, while last weekend’s goalscorer Francisco Conceicao will also play despite his recent layoff.

The in-demand prospect Kenan Yildiz will feature in the final third activities, while there is intense competition for places for the No.9 role, with Jonathan David, Lois Openda and Dusan Vlahovic all vying for a single spot. David will lead the line for Juventus against Atalanta on Saturday.

Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Di Gregorio; Gatti, Bremer, Kelly; Kalulu, Thuram, Locatelli, Cambiaso; Conceicao, Yildiz; David

Atalanta

Over at Atalanta, there are some selection decisions for Ivan Juric to make ahead of the big clash against Juventus. Ademola Lookman still faces a race to be fit after his summer standoff with the club, which could continue to make him an option on the bench.

Charles De Ketelaere has been in a good vein of form, which warrants a starting spot, while Montenegrin striker Nikola Krstovic will lead the line, who recently added two goals to his tally of three assists so far.

Mario Pasalic will start in the solitary role behind the two strikers in the serup as the most advanced role from midfield. Summer arrivals Yunus Musah and Marten De Roon are the midfielders set to start, with Davide Zappacosta and Raoul Bellanova in the wing-back roles.

Probable Lineup (3-4-1-2): Carnesecchi; Kossounou, Djimsiti, Ahanor; Bellanova, De Roon, Musah, Zappacosta; Pasalic; De Ketelaere, Krstovic

Key Stats

• Juventus are undefeated in their last nine matches in Serie A.
• Juventus have scored at least two goals in their last six home games
• Atalanta are unbeaten in their last seven visits to Juventus.
• Atalanta have lost one of their last 11 games against Juventus.

Player to Watch

Jonathan David

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The Canadian striker had the best possible start to life as Juventus’s new striker following his move from LOSC Lille on a free transfer. David scored in the opening day victory over Parma, but he has since gone a bit quiet, with only one assist to show for his displays, which came against Inter Milan.

The competition for places for the starting striker is probably the most intense at Juventus compared to any team in the world. Lois Openda and Dusan Vlahovic are also knocking on the door with impressive performances this season, and should David start against Atalanta on Saturday, he needs to put in a formidable display to stake his place for longer.

Prediction

Juventus 2-1 Atalanta

Atalanta are in a good run of form, albeit still being inconsistent, where they have made it difficult to properly judge them under Ivan Juric. One day, they are timid, while taking the handbrake off on another occasion. While La Dea come to Juventus with a top record against their opposition, there are still big question marks about whether Juric can get them a result here.

Meanwhile, Juventus have enjoyed a very good start to their season, and that will be crucial in their game against Atalanta. They are in a superior vein of form compared to their visitors, and that might be key for Igor Tudor to get a result on Saturday. The Bianconeri are expected to take three points, possibly not convincingly, but they have the players to get the job done.