The Matchday 1 clash in Serie A between Atalanta and Pisa will take place on August 24 at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo. Atalanta vs. Pisa: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Atalanta
In the last Serie A season, the team from Bergamo finished third, matching their best-ever achievement. They accumulated 74 points, trailing the champions Napoli by eight. Notably, Atalanta was prolific in front of goal last season, scoring 78 goals, second only to Inter's 79. However, they ranked only eighth in terms of points earned at home (32). During the summer, they played six friendlies, winning three (1 draw, 2 losses).
In the off-season, the club made several acquisitions, including midfielder Nicola Zalewski and forwards Nikola Krstovic and Kamaldeen Sulemana. Departing the team were defenders Rafael Toloi and Matteo Ruggeri, as well as last season's top scorer Mateo Retegui. Additionally, Ivan Juric was appointed as the head coach.
- The club has not won in 9 of their last 11 home matches in Serie A (5 draws, 4 losses).
- No more than two goals have been scored in 7 of their last 9 home league games.
- Atalanta failed to score in the second half in 7 of their last 9 home Serie A matches.
Predicted lineup for Atalanta (3-4-3)
Marco Carnesecchi – Odilon Kossounou, Isak Hien, Berat Djimsiti – Raoul Bellanova, Marten de Roon, Ederson, Davide Zappacosta – Charles De Ketelaere, Gianluca Scamacca, Lazar Samardzic.
Defender Sead Kolasinac will miss the match due to injury.
Pisa
Last season, the club competed in Serie B and finished second with 76 points, earning promotion. As a result, Pisa will play in Italy's top division for the first time since the 1990/91 season. Notably, they ranked second in Serie B for points earned in away matches (33) and goals conceded on the road (18). During the off-season, Pisa played five friendlies, losing just once (3 wins, 1 draw).
During the summer transfer window, new arrivals included goalkeeper Simone Scuffet, midfielders Isak Vural, Michel Aebischer, and Juan Cuadrado, as well as forward M'Bala Nzola. The club also appointed Alberto Gilardino as head coach.
- The team has not lost in 7 of their last 10 away Serie B matches (5 wins, 2 draws).
- The club scored at least twice in 4 of their last 5 away league games.
- Pisa has not conceded more than one goal in 10 of their last 11 away Serie B matches.
Predicted lineup for Pisa (3-5-2)
Adrian Semper – Simone Canestrelli, Antonio Caracciolo, Arturo Calabresi – Idrissa Touré, Michel Aebischer, Marius Marin, Ebenezer Akinshanmire, Samuele Angori – Matteo Tramoni, M'Bala Nzola.
Defender Mateus Luizardi is injured.
Referee
Alberto Arena (Italy)
Matches – 15 (Serie A and Serie B, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 69;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.6;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 30;
Penalties – 13%.
Atalanta vs. Pisa: Match Prediction
Last season, Atalanta could have aimed for higher positions in the league, but their home form let them down. In their last 11 home Serie A matches, Atalanta managed only two wins (5 draws, 4 losses). During this period, they dropped points against teams like Parma, Lecce, Venezia, and Cagliari. Even when they won, it was often by narrow margins: in their last 14 home league games, Atalanta secured a victory by more than one goal only once.
Pisa hasn't played in Italy's top division for a long time, but I believe they can put up a strong fight against Atalanta. Last season, Pisa had a decent away record: in 19 away matches, they suffered only six losses, with just one by more than a one-goal margin. Additionally, in 15 away games last season, Pisa conceded a maximum of one goal.
I think the Serie A newcomers will put on a respectable performance, so my prediction: Pisa with a handicap (+1.5)
