At this point last year Atalanta were roughly in the same position, challenging for a Europa League position. They will need to earn more points than Sampdoria in this round, who face relegation battlers Spal, to hold onto a Europa League position as the calendar year closes.
If worst comes to worst, Cagliari could finish the year in 18th and in the relegation zone. But the odds are stacked in their favour to finish safe with fellow relegation foes, Crotone, facing Napoli at home and Spal travelling to face Sampdoria.
As the January transfer windows looms, Atalanta have reportedly had West Ham and Manchester United knocking on their door about 22-year-old attacking midfielder Bryan Cristante, who has scored six goals this season and a memorable brace against Everton in the Europa League.
Players to watch: Atalanta’s 29-year-old Slovenian international midfielder Ilicic Josip is showing he’s easily worth his price tag of £8.10m after scoring five goals in his last six games.
Cagliari will be looking for goals from their second top scorer, Pavoletti Leonardo (four), as their top scoring midfielder, Joao Pedro, will miss this match and three others (Juventus, AC Milan, Crotone) due to simulation and a stamp on Fiorentina's Federico Chiesa.
Stat attack: Since 1992, Cagliari have never managed to beat Atalanta on their travels away (14 games). In the last ten games between the sides, Atalanta have a record of: W5, D2, L3. Both teams have scored 11 goals over the ten fixtures, 22 goals in total - an average of 2.2 goals per game.
At home, Atalanta have not been beaten in the last 12 games in all competitions. Their last home defeat was in round one against AS Roma. They have scored 18 goals at home - an average of two goals per game. Away, Caliari have not managed to find any form as yet and have only scored six goals - an average of 0.6 goals per game.
Atalanta to WIN at 1.46