Bologna vs Atalanta Prediction 23.12.2023

• Competition: Italy - Serie A
• Date: Saturday, 23rd, December 2023
• Kickoff: 14:00 UTC / 15.00 CET
• Venue: Stadio Renato Dall'Ara (Bologna)

Motta's masterpiece Bologna will be desperate to retain their place in the top four when they host Atalanta, two points behind them, at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara in the penultimate Serie A fixture of the year on Saturday.

The Rossoblu are an absolute sensation in the Italian top-flight this season, and that is as clear as day. The mesmerizing transformation of Bologna under the baton of Thiago Motta is nothing short of a marvel, turning the club from perennial mid-table dwellers in Serie A into a serious contender for European heights, and all thanks to the Brazilian wizard. Indeed, the Emilia-Romagna-based club rocked Italian soil last weekend, submerging Mourinho's Roma with a routine 2-0 victory in front of fervent supporters, emphatically signaling to everyone that they are ready for a fierce battle for a spot in the Champions League.

After consistently guiding his side to third place between 2018 and 2021, longtime Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini seems to have lost that recipe somewhere, as he now gambles on staying outside the top four for a third consecutive campaign. Fortunately, the 65-year-old Italian tactician has brilliantly revived his La Dea's European ambitions in recent weeks, first guiding them to a late 3-2 thriller against the Rossoneri and then orchestrating a 4-1 demolition of Inzaghi's Salernitana last time out. While accumulating 26 points after 16 rounds marks the lowest tally at this stage in the past four seasons, the Bergamo outfit, thanks to consecutive triumphs, has closed in on just two points of the last place with the Champions League ticket.

Bologna vs Atalanta Betting Tips: 1X (Double chance)

Based on recent scintillating performances, especially after midweek knocking out two-time Coppa Italia holders and Serie A table-leaders Inter at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in a thrilling comeback of 2-1 in extra time, Bologna has every reason to entertain thoughts of a positive outcome this weekend. After successive triumphs against AS Roma and the Nerazzurri, Thiago Motta's sorcerers have no intention of halting their spectacular performances, especially considering their Stadio Renato Dall'Ara displays, where they looked like an unstoppable storm laying waste to everything in front of them.

Since succumbing to a 0-2 defeat against AC Milan in the season opener, the Rossoblu not only remain undefeated in eight consecutive home matches but also welcome Atalanta on the back of six triumphs in a row, netting 12 times and conceding only twice in that span. In contrast, Bergamaschi's quality seems to decline year by year. Despite Gasperini's squad entering Saturday's clash with the momentum of three impressive triumphs in all competitions, their away displays leave significant room for improvement, as this season's three victories on the road came against teams battling for survival, such as Sassuolo, Verona, and Empoli. 

Buoyed by the enthusiastic support of their fiery fans, the soaring Bologna should aim to affirm their fantastic form and, at a minimum, elongate their unbeaten streak at home to an impressive 10 games against Atalanta, who seem lackluster in their top-flight outings.