A Juventus lay is the bet when they clash with Atalanta on Sunday

European Leagues / Dan Fitch / 07 December 2007 / Leave a comment

Dan "The Betting Man" Fitch previews Betfair's Sunday Live Video offering as Juventus host Atalanta

Last week I wrote of Inter's away tie with Fiorentina being a crucial indicator as to whether there would be a real title race in Serie A this season. Well, we got our answer, as Inter majestically swept aside a Fiorentina side, so impressed by the manner in which they were beaten, that they were actually moved to applaud the Inter players off the pitch.

Inter followed this up with a midweek 3-0 win over Lazio. Roma also won on Wednesday to keep the gap at the top to just three points, but who do they think they are kidding? The Serie A title might as well be gift wrapped and given to Inter for Christmas, such is their superiority over the other, so called challengers.

So that leaves a race between the best of the rest for the Champions League places. This Sunday sees Juventus host an Atalanta side that must be starting to believe they've got a chance of sneaking into Europe's elite competition. Juventus are also in good form and this tie will provide a good test to determine just at what standard both teams are at.

Hilariously, Juventus forced a draw at the San Siro last weekend, to leave AC Milan still without a home win. It was a game where the goalkeepers came out on top, with Buffon and Dida both making important saves to keep the match at deadlock. This represented a good result for Juventus and followed on from the previous week's 5-0 home win over Palermo.

That match saw them ditch their 4-3-3 formation and revert to a traditional two man partnership in attack. Alessandro Del Piero was dropped to the bench by Ranieri, but came on in the second half to grab a brace. The 4-4-2 was retained for both the Milan match and last night's 2-1 loss to Empoli in the Copa Italia. Ranieri rested several players for this cup match and therefore it should have little bearing on Sunday's game.

Vincenzo Iaquinta was brought on as a second half substitute and scored Juventus' consolation goal. I'd expect him to link up with Trezeguet again on Sunday, with Del Piero to be dropped. Of course though, you never really know with Ranieri, who isn't known as the Tinkerman for nothing. But whoever Ranieri picks, he will be selecting strikers in good form. Trezeguet is the league's top scorer with eleven goals and can be matched at a price of just [1.88] to be Italy's top marksmen. Iaquinta with six goals is [36], whilst Del Piero with five strikes, can be matched at 75.

Atalanta's top goalscorer is their veteran midfield playmaker Christiano Doni. At 34, the former Italian international, has notched seven goals and is available at [55] for top goalscorer. Though this will be beyond him, Doni is enjoying a wonderful second spell at Atalanta, where the goals have always flowed with more regularity than in his time with other sides.

The Nerazzurri were inspired by Doni, to a stunning 5-1 home win over Napoli last Sunday. The previous weekend had seen Atalanta push Inter closer than most have this season, as they narrowly lost 2-1 at the San Siro. This loss and an early season defeat at Sampdoria, are the only blemishes on Atalanta's record this season. With a game in hand, they shouldn't be discounted from challenging Udinese and Fiorentina for the fourth place spot and certainly, UEFA Cup qualification should be within their grasp.

Juventus are rightly favourites, but [1.44] is way too short, with the draw at [4.5] and an Atalanta win [10.5]. I'd be looking to lay Juventus at that price, with a view to trade, or at the least waiting for the price to lengthen, before backing. As is often the case, the reputation of a club like Juventus has artificially shortened their price. 1.44 when there's a vague chance that Boumsong might get picked? Not for this soldier.

To watch this match on Betfair Live Video go to:

http://livevideo.betfair.com/