Atalanta sit on the summit of the Serie A standings, however their time on the high might be beneath risk once they face Scudetto-chasing Lazio on the Stadio Olimpico.

Gian Piero Gasperini’s facet seem unstoppable, with a membership report 11 successive league victories sending them hovering up the desk to maneuver two factors away from Napoli in second place.

It has been a historic 12 months for Atalanta, who claimed their first trophy since 1963 following their overcome Bayer Leverkusen within the Europa League closing again in Could.

They’ve additionally registered each their report variety of wins (36) in a single calendar 12 months in all competitions (since 1929-30) and their report variety of targets scored (126).

However their stellar begin this time period has been helped by their star entrance line, with Atalanta the one staff throughout Europe’s high 5 leagues to have three gamers to attain at the least 10 targets this season, in Charles De Ketelaere (10), Ademola Lookman (12) and Mateo Retegui (14).

In reality, De Ketelaere is the highest-scoring Serie A participant in 2024 in all competitions: 36 (20 targets and 16 assists), with the Belgian additionally scoring one among his three Serie A braces this 12 months towards Lazio in February.

Nevertheless, up subsequent in Serie A for Atalanta is Lazio, who’ve received 17 of their first 24 video games in all competitions for the primary time of their historical past (since 1929-30).

Marco Baroni’s facet have already turned heads with a few of their outcomes this season, together with back-to-back wins towards Napoli, then high of the desk, within the Coppa Italia and Serie A.

Lazio have received their final two matches towards the staff that was in first place within the Serie A standings in the beginning of a matchday (towards Napoli on MD15 and towards Torino at MD6), as many wins as within the earlier 23 matches towards these opponents (W2 D3 L18).

They impressively bounced again after struggling a 6-0 thrashing at dwelling to Inter by beating Lecce, and can transfer to inside three factors of the leaders if they’ll win.

Ought to Gasperini’s facet slip up on Saturday, Napoli and Inter might be able to pounce, and each groups might be assured of doing so with matches towards groups within the relegation zone.

A have a look at the desk after matchday 17 pic.twitter.com/0gIzDP9Ot1

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) December 23, 2024

Inter, who play earlier on Saturday and have a recreation in hand on the groups round them, may transfer degree on factors with the leaders in the event that they beat Cagliari.

The Nerazzurri have spent essentially the most minutes in main positions in Serie A this season (683) and have received essentially the most matches (26 out of 37), scored essentially the most targets (89), misplaced the fewest matches (two) and conceded the fewest targets (29) within the top-flight throughout 2024.

Napoli, in the meantime, have received their final two video games since shedding to Lazio, they usually know they should beat Venezia to maintain the tempo on the high of the desk.

Their huge enchancment from final season is well-documented, however Antonio Conte’s facet might be aiming to regular their dwelling type once more. They’ve misplaced two of their final three dwelling video games in Serie A (W1) after successful every of their first 5 dwelling league video games this season.

Juventus are the one unbeaten facet in Serie A, however 10 attracts leaves them sixth within the standings and 9 factors off high spot, with a difficult take a look at towards fifth-placed Fiorentina on Sunday, whereas Milan are properly off the tempo in eighth place. They welcome Roma on Sunday.