Salernitana and Atalanta BC have contrasting ambitions before Saturday's Serie A clash at the Arechi Stadium.

The Granata are almost safe from relegation — despite losing at Empoli last weekend — and Gian Piero Gasperini's men still have a Champions League spot within reach regardless of a 2-0 loss to Juventus in Bergamo in round 34.

Match preview

Salernitana were in the relegation fight a while back, but the turnaround since Paulo Sousa replaced Davide Nicola in mid-February has been incredible.

The Granata boss lost his opening game in charge against Lazio, but a 10-game unbeaten run saw the Salerno outfit move eight points clear of 18th-placed Spezia.

Most of those games were draws, including against the Milan clubs and Serie A champions Napoli, with the latter delaying the Partenopei's coronation.

The heroics of Guillermo Ochoa were pivotal in those vital ties, the goalkeeper coming to the aid of his defence time and again.

Sousa's men were two points clear of Spezia after Salernitana's 2-0 loss to Maurizio Sarri's men three months back but are potentially one more positive result from securing their Serie A status for another season.

Atalanta will not be quite so generous to grant the hosts the result they need to stay in Italy's top flight, with the Bergamaschi chasing Champions League football.

A 2-0 home loss to Juventus in Sunday's early kick-off ended La Dea's three-game winning run, thus seeing them fall five points behind fourth-placed Inter Milan.

With the Old Lady to be docked nine points according to reports in the Italian press, Gasperini's troops should give themselves a chance of ending in the top four by securing as many points as they can in the season's final weeks.

Duvan Zapata's return to form has proved significant in Atalanta's run-in, with the forward's hold-up play and decisive execution helping to secure vital victories.

Only champions Napoli have picked up more away points than La Dea, giving the Bergamaschi hope of winning in Salerno.

Team News

Boulaye Dia fired blanks at Empoli last week, but Salernitana's top-scoring forward is expected to lead the line against La Dea.

While left wing-back Domagoj Bradaric returns from suspension, Dylan Bronn is absent after accumulating yellow cards.

Norbert Gyomber, Antonio Candreva, Federico Fazio, Domen Crnigoj and Diego Valencia are either doubtful or injured, and they are unlikely to feature on Saturday.

Ademola Lookman and Rasmus Winther Hojlund were joined on the sidelines by Jeremie Boga on Sunday when the wide attacker was withdrawn 15 minutes after coming on to add to Gasperini's selection headache.

Joakim Maehle was booked in second-half stoppage time, ruling him out of this weekend, so Brandon Soppy is expected to replace the Denmark international, with Davide Zappacosta expected to move to left wing-back.

Jose Luis Palomino, Hans Hateboer and Matteo Ruggeri are sidelined and not anticipated to feature.

Salernitana possible starting lineup:
Ochoa; Daniliuc, Lovato, Pirola; Mazzocchi, Coulibaly, Vilhena, Bradaric; Maggiore, Botheim; Dia

Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:
Sportiello; Toloi, Djimsiti, Scalvini; Zappacosta, De Roon, Koopmeiners, Soapy; Pasalic; Muriel, Zapata

We say: Salernitana 2-2 Atalanta BC

Three of Salernitana's recent draws at the Arechi have produced 12 goals, and another score draw could be in the offing on Saturday.


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