Fiorentina vs Atalanta Prediction 17.09.2023

• Competition: Italy - Serie A
• Date: Sunday, 17th, September 2023
• Kickoff: 17:00 UTC +1 / 18.00 CEST
• Venue: Stadio Artemio Franchi (Florence)

Prepare for fireworks at Stadio Artemio Franchi as Fiorentina and Atalanta, two teams with a common mission, go head-to-head in the fourth round of the Italian Serie A this Sunday.

Since Juventus lost the right to participate in UEFA competitions for this competitive year, Fiorentina - which finished just below the Old Lady in the previous Serie A season - stepped in on their behalf and made the most of the opportunity by securing a spot in the group stage of the UEFA Europa Conference League, defeating Rapid Vienna 2-1 on aggregate. However, the start of Viola's season in the Italian top flight has been like a rollercoaster ride. They began with a spectacular 4-1 victory against the newcomer Genoa, then drew 2-2 against Lecce (despite leading 2-0), only to ultimately suffer a heavy defeat to Inter at San Siro, losing 0-4.

Having steered La Dea to a fifth-place finish in the previous term and restoring their presence on the European stage after a one-year absence, Gian Piero Gasperini, with the help of a fruitful summer transfer window, will set his sights on a top-four finish in the current season. Atalanta kicked off their 2023-24 Serie A campaign with a routine 2-0 away victory over Sassuolo but suffered an unexpected 1-2 defeat to newly-promoted Frosinone in gameweek two. However, Atalanta swiftly regained their winning momentum by dismantling Monza 3-0 in the third round.

Fiorentina vs Atalanta Betting Tips: BTTS

With seven goals shipped in their opening three Serie A fixtures, Fiorentina's defensive line resembles a "Swiss cheese," duly earning them the unwanted title of the top flight's weakest defense – not even Empoli, languishing at the bottom with all three defeats, has allowed more, conceding just five. While coach Vincenzo Italiano will try to patch up the defensive gaps, it won't be a simple task, considering that Viola has conceded at least one goal in nine out of their last 10 matches across all competitions.

Despite their defensive difficulties, the Florence-based side has demonstrated an undeniable ability to locate the back of the net, managing to score at least once in 17 out of their last 18 home matches. As a result, Atalanta's defensive line and first-choice goalkeeper Juan Musso are likely to have a demanding day on Sunday, considering their infrequent habit of keeping their net untouched on away grounds. This is further confirmed by the fact that Gasperini's men managed to keep just two clean sheets in their previous 15 Serie A away visits.

Furthermore, the tradition of their head-to-head clashes also hints at an intriguing goal-fest on Sunday, considering that both teams' nets have been constantly rattled in five out of the last six encounters played in Florence. Considering the defensive vulnerabilities of both Fiorentina and Atalanta, we see BTTS as a strong choice in this Serie A contest.