Napoli is gearing up to take on Atalanta in Serie A’s 30th matchday on Saturday, March 30, at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in Naples. The spotlight shines on Victor Osimhen as he makes his anticipated return to Napoli’s lineup against Atalanta after missing the previous Serie A game against Inter.
Matches immediately following the international break carry a veil of unpredictability. With national team commitments wrapping up just over three days before this Serie A clash, the readiness and morale of returning players are under the microscope.
Atalanta faces a packed schedule, with a Coppa Italia semifinal against Fiorentina on the horizon on April 3, followed by a Europa League quarterfinal showdown with Liverpool. Despite these impending commitments, the immediate focus is on Serie A, where both Napoli and Atalanta vie for crucial points.
The emotional and physical readiness of key players returning from international duty cannot be understated. While Osimhen was notably absent from Nigeria’s lineup this time around, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia returns to Atalanta riding the high of Georgia’s historic qualification for a major tournament. Aleksey Miranchuk, having recently scored for Russia in a convincing win over Serbia, brings additional momentum to Atalanta’s campaign.
This encounter is pivotal for both Napoli and Atalanta, who are closely contesting for European qualification spots. Napoli currently sits seventh, just behind sixth-placed Atalanta, making this match a direct battle for positioning. Additionally, both teams eye the opportunity to overtake Roma in fifth place, potentially securing a Champions League berth as Italy inches closer to earning an additional slot for the competition based on its clubs’ performances in Europe this season.
Recent history favors Napoli, having secured victories in their last four encounters against Atalanta, a streak the Bergamo side aims to end, having not won against the Neapolitans since December 2021.
Analysts believe that the hosts have a better chance of winning. According to 1xBet the odds of Napoli winning are 2.145, when Atalanta’s chances are estimated at 3.52. If you believe in Victor Osimhen netting one of the goals, you can place a bet at 2.5.
