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Juventus vs Atalanta preview: How to watch on TV, live stream, team news & prediction

By James Cormack

Juventus' American midfielder Weston McKennie (L) tackles Atalanta's Colombian forward Duvan Zapata during the final of the Italian Cup (Coppa Italia) football match Atalanta vs Juventus on May 19, 2021 at the Citta del Tricolore stadium in Reggio Emilia. (Photo by MIGUEL MEDINA / AFP) (Photo by MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP via Getty Images)
Juventus' American midfielder Weston McKennie (L) tackles Atalanta's Colombian forward Duvan Zapata during the final of the Italian Cup (Coppa Italia) football match Atalanta vs Juventus on May 19, 2021 at the Citta del Tricolore stadium in Reggio Emilia. (Photo by MIGUEL MEDINA / AFP) (Photo by MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Following their midweek Champions League humbling, Juventus return to Serie A action on Saturday evening as they host an Atalanta side that are starting to find their groove.

Chelsea inflicted Juve’s heaviest ever Champions League defeat on Tuesday night, as the Bianconeri relinquished top spot in Group H. Nevertheless, they head into Saturday’s bout having won their last two domestic outings.

Last weekend, they were impressive against a toothless Lazio and victory on Saturday will leave Massimiliano Allegri’s side just a point adrift of Atalanta, who currently sit fourth in Serie A.

While La Dea disappointed in the week as they were held to a 3-3 draw by Young Boys to scupper their chances of progressing into the Champions League knockout stages, they head into Matchday 14 on a six-game unbeaten run.

Atalanta’s last defeat came against AC Milan (3-2) at the start of October, and their eyes are set firmly on catching the leading three in Serie A.

Here’s our preview of Saturday’s fixture.

How to Watch Juventus vs Atalanta

When is kick-off? Saturday 27 November

What time is kick-off? 17:00 (BST)

Where is it played? Allianz Stadium

TV channel/live stream? BT Sport 2 (UK), Paramount+ (US)

Juventus Team News

Paulo Dybala is fit again and should start on Saturday. (Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Paulo Dybala is fit again and should start on Saturday. (Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images) /

Max Allegri was handed a double injury boost in the wake of the Chelsea defeat. Both Federico Bernardeschi and Giorgio Chiellini have returned to training and are expected to be available for selection.

Mattia De Sciglio could yet return as well.

Paulo Dybala is set to make his first start since recovering from a minor calf issue, while Alvaro Morata could be replaced by Moise Kean after his poor run of form continued at Stamford Bridge. Luca Pellegrini has made a great case to start on Saturday as well, but the manager could stick with veteran Alex Sandro.

Atalanta Team News

Atalanta are starting to get healthier, but they’re still without wing-backs Robin Gosens and Hans Hateboer. Summer signing Matteo Lovato is also out with a hamstring injury.

Gian Piero Gasperini is set to deploy a 3-4-2-1 with Duvan Zapata leading the line. Ruslan Malinovskiy and the in-form Mario Pasalic could operate as the two behind the Colombian, while Marten De Roon and Remo Freuler are likely to make up the engine room in midfield.

Merih Demiral is in contention to face his parent club, with Davide Zappacosta set to be available despite picking up a knock in Switzerland.

Predicted Lineups

Juventus: Szczesny; Cuadrado, Bonucci, De Ligt, Pellegrini; Chiesa, Locatelli, McKennie, Bernardeschi; Dybala, Kean.

Atalanta: Musso; Toloi, Demiral, Palomino; Zappacosta, De Roon, Freuler, Maehle; Pasalic, Malinovskiy; Zapata.

Juventus’ Recent Form

Chelsea 4-0 Juventus (23/11) – Champions League

Lazio 0-2 Juventus (20/11) – Serie A

Juventus 1-0 Fiorentina (06/11) – Serie A

Juventus 4-2 Zenit (02/11) – Champions League

Hellas Verona 2-1 Juventus (30/10) – Serie A

Atalanta’s Recent Form

Young Boys 3-3 Atalanta (23/11) – Champions League

Atalanta 5-2 Spezia (20/11) – Serie A

Cagliari 1-2 Atalanta (06/11) – Serie A

Atalanta 2-2 Manchester United (02/11) – Champions League

Atalanta 2-2 Lazio (30/10) – Serie A

Prediction

Atalanta are a better team than Juventus and are in a great position to secure a historic victory on Saturday. (Photo by Marcio Machado/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Atalanta are a better team than Juventus and are in a great position to secure a historic victory on Saturday. (Photo by Marcio Machado/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images) /

We know exactly what this Atalanta side are about, and they’ve posed plenty of problems for Juventus in recent years. The Bianconeri haven’t won in the last three Serie A encounters between the pair, although they did claim victory in last season’s Coppa Italia final.

Typically, Gasperini’s man-orientation suffocates Juve and I can envisage the Old Lady enduring similar woes on Saturday. While we saw more fluidity and variability to their build-up play against Lazio, many of these players aren’t blessed with the requisite technical security to beat Atalanta’s fierce man-oriented press. Thus, the visitors have the potential to control this bout with the work they do out of possession by limiting the hosts to direct balls into the front men.

La Dea are simply a better team, although the nature of their set-up means that Juve will be gifted chances in transition. It’s imperative that they’re efficient, otherwise, the visitors will make them pay at the other end.

Given Duvan Zapata’s form, I’m backing Atalanta to pick up a statement win on the road. How can I back Juventus after Tuesday night’s horror show?

Prediction: Juventus 1-2 Atalanta

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