Series A, Saturday, 18.05.2024
Between one cup final and the other, Giampiero Gasperini also has to think about Serie A from time to time. Especially as the season lasts a little longer here than in Germany, for example, and a good final position takes priority.
Accordingly, in my Lecce Atalanta Bergamo betting tip, I assume that the northern Italians will win despite all the hardships. In fact, a possible victory on Saturday alone could be the reinsurance for a UCL participation in 2024/25
Despite all the excitement, even Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri’s collar burst – literally!
In the final minutes of last Wednesday’s Coppa Italia final between his Juve and Atalanta, he took off his tie, threw it to the ground and then left the pitch in a rage.
But against all odds, Juventus actually managed to hold on to a 1-0 lead and keep the Bergamo side’s “cup curse” alive.
It seems that Giampiero Gasperini’s men simply can’t win a title, despite playing some impressive soccer under their long-term coach
The Bergamasques still have one opportunity to avoid ending the 2023/24 season without a title: The Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen on May 22.
Should they fail to beat the Werkself, however, it will be important to secure their eligibility for the 2024/25 top flight with a strong photo finish at the Serie A finals.
Meanwhile, their upcoming opponents also have a good reason to lace up their soccer boots on Saturday. Although Lecce can almost no longer be relegated, the fans would certainly prefer the mathematical certainty of it
Lecce have lost just one of their last five matches in the league, but in that period they have only faced clubs in the second half of the table (2 wins, 2 draws).
Bergamo, on the other hand, are a strong team who have regained the consistency that has been lacking in recent years. I have not disregarded that in my predictions.
After all, Atalanta scored 33 of the maximum possible 48 points in the second half of the season and scored 35 goals in the process.
If we break that down to an average, only the top team of the 2023/24 season, Inter Milan, has achieved a higher points average (2.59) and goals average (2.47) than Atalanta in these two categories across the league
Disappointment naturally runs deep at Atalanta and the Juve game will no doubt be buzzing around in the players’ heads somewhere on Saturday. But this team has been far too dominant since April to expect a sustained wave of failure.
The defeat in the Coppa Italia final was the only “real defeat” in this successful period, which was peppered with victories over Fiorentina (4:1), Roma (2:1) and Marseille (3:0).
Why “real defeat”? The quarter-final second leg against Liverpool was, strictly speaking, lost 1-0, but the Bergamo side’s approach to the game was completely different after their stunning 3-0 win over the Reds a week earlier.
With the Crazybuzzer app to hand, I took a look at the current Lecce Atalanta Bergamo betting odds and have to say that the 1.80 for a win for the visitors has piqued my interest.
Bergamo still have to score points in Serie A to keep Roma at bay and what better opportunity than now to win against the easiest opponent in the remaining program?
Especially as Bergamo have already managed to win the first-round clash 1-0 and benefit from the southern Italian side’s problems going forward, which are currently becoming more apparent again.
After all, Lecce have scored the fewest home goals of all Serie A teams in the 2024 calendar year (6), together with Turin FC.
The Bergamo side could indeed record another clean sheet, as they did in the first half of the season.
And even if I am looking forward to my Lecce Atalanta Bergamo betting tip with a certain optimism, it should not go unmentioned that Gasperini could possibly spare some of his key players despite the urgent need for points.
After all, Bergamo have just played in the Coppa Italia final and just four days after their trip to southern Italy, Bayer Leverkusen await them in the EL final at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
Teun Koopmeiners, meanwhile, will definitely have to rest on Saturday, as the midfield specialist will have to serve a yellow card against Lecce
Conclusion: The northern Italian side’s remaining program is certainly no walk in the park. Above all, this point game between the two cup finals is inconvenient for them, but is nonetheless extremely important.
Furthermore, Bergamo have never shown any sign of fatigue, despite all their exertions, and have met every opponent with the same tireless, continuous commitment.
Consequently, I expect “La Dea” to be victorious on Saturday, perhaps even without conceding a single goal.
My Lecce Atalanta Bergamo betting tip is therefore: The visitors will win by zero
