Serie A: Atalanta v Juventus Odds and Betting Preview

BERGAMO, ITALY - League leaders Juventus travel to Bergamo tonight to take on struggling Atalanta, hoping to cement their position at the top of the tree before Milan and Udinese play on Sunday.

Juventus are still unbeaten in Serie A this season, and the bookmakers make them strong favourites to pick up three points at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia. A win for the visitors can be backed at best odds of 10/11 with Blue Square and BetVictor, with a draw on offer at 12/5 with Betfred and Coral. Atalanta have lost both of their matches in 2012, but they are 15/4 (almost 4/1) with bet365 to upstage the league leaders and grab a much-needed win tonight.

Atalanta beat Siena last season in the race for the Serie B title and at the same time secured promotion back to the first tier in Italian football. The 1963 Coppa Italia winners have been doing pretty well back in Serie A this season, and are currently five points ahead of Cesena, who currently occupy the final relegation spot. Stefano Colantuono’s side certainly would not be as safe as they are without the signature of Argentine Germán Denis, who signed on loan from Udinese this season and is the club’s leading goalscorer with 12 goals. Atalanta are out to 5/1 to be relegated with bwin and take on Juventus having only lost one of their previous nine home matches in the league.

As for Juventus, they are one points ahead of AC Milan at the moment, although they are the second-favourites for the Scudetto at 13/8 with William Hill. The Old Lady have only won one of their previous four games away from home and cannot afford to drop more points in Bergamo tonight. Krasic and Del Piero will probably start on the bench tonight with preference for Vucinic in attack, and at the other end of the pitch Juventus welcome back the previously-suspended Giorgio Chiellini.

There have been two goals or fewer scored in each of Juventus’ previous six Serie A games, which means that bookies are once again to keep the low scoring outcomes on their side in the correct score betting for tonight’s match. 1-0 to Juventus is 5/1 with William Hill and bet365, although bet365 is a better place to go to as they will refund losing correct score bets on the match if it finishes 0-0. A 1-1 draw at 6/1 with Coral will be popular with those who think that Juventus are ‘drawing their way to the Scudetto’, and 2-0 to the visitors is close behind at 15/2 with William Hill. Atalanta are not without hope however, and a 1-0 home win can be backed at 10/1 with bet365.

The favourite in the first goalscorer betting is Alessandro Matri, at 5/1 with bet365 and BetVictor. The Italian is Juventus’ leading goalscorer with seven goals this season, but at the prices Marchisio looks a better punt for the visitors at 11/1 with bwin. 11/2 shot Del Piero is unlikely to start, and the best option for backers of the home side is Germán Denis at 7/1 with totesport. Denis is nicknamed ‘The Tank’ for good reason and he is good with his head.

In other markets, Juventus are 2/1 with Irish firms Boylesports and Paddy Power to lead the game at half-time and full-time. Draw/Juventus is next at 4/1 with Blue Square, and then Atalanta/Atalanta can be punted at 15/2 with William Hill.

Finally under 2.5 goals looks nailed on once again at 8/13 with bet365 and Matri is 12/1 with Sporting Bet to score two or more goals in the game, although the striker is as short as 9/2 with William Hill.

The game kicks-off at 8.45pm local time on Saturday 21 January, which is 7.45pm in the UK. It is live on ESPN HD.

Atalanta v Juventus Match Odds

Atalanta v Juventus First Goalscorer Odds

Atalanta v Juventus Correct Score Odds

Atalanta v Juventus HT/FT Odds