With only five games remaining, Juventus are a prime contender for the Serie A 2016-17 title. A win against Atalanta on Friday will take Juventus one step closer to the champion's podium.
The Italian giants have only lost four matches this season, and they go as favourites into this match. Juventus currently lead the table, eight points clear off the second-placed Roma, and can extend the lead to 11 if they can beat Atalanta.
Meanwhile, Atalanta are no pushovers and have played some brilliant football this season. Atlanta will be keen to pull off an upset, though it looks unlikely. The home team is trying to gain an entry to Europa League, and a victory here could put Atalanta in a position of advantage.
Both teams will not look too much ahead and try to focus on the game at hand on Friday. Going forward, Juventus' have a jampacked schedule including the Champions League semifinals against Monaco.
Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri is also aware of it.
"This is a high stakes month in which we've a double header against Monaco between ourselves and the the Champions League final, while we've also points to pick up in the league. If Roma were to win all of their remaining games, they'd reach 91 points, which means we need another eight," Juventus' official website quoted Allegri as saying.
With the likes of Gonzalo Higuain, Paolo Dybala among goals, and the defence, doing what they have always done best- only 20 goals conceded so far- Juventus have become the team to beat in the Italian league.
Atalanta– with Europa League on the horizon– will undoubtedly try to put on a good show in front of the home crowd. Will they be able to stun Juventuus? Atalanta, with 19 wins and 63 points, lie on fifth place in the Serie A.
Allegri is quite mindful of Atalanta's performance this season.
"Atalanta are enjoying an excellent season and credit must go to their manager, Gian Piero Gasperini, as well as the whole club. They're a team brimming with quality and led by a top coach. We have to remember that, while for us this match is significant for the Scudetto, for Atalanta it's a huge moment in their bid to qualify for Europe," Allegri said.
Where to watch live
Atalanta vs Juventus is scheduled to kick off at 8.45 pm local time (12.15 am IST, 7.45 pm BST).
INDIA: TV: Ten 1 HD. Live streaming: Sony Liv
ITALY: TV: SKy Go Italia, Sky Calcio 1. Live streaming: Sky Go Italia
UK: TV: BT Sport 3. Live streaming: BT Sport Live
USA: TV: Bein Sports, RAI International. Live streaming: Bein Sports Connect
