Atalanta have an injury crisis on their hands ahead of the trip to Monza on Monday, so will probably have to start 19-year-old talent Rasmus Hojlund.
It kicks off at the U-Power Stadium on Monday at 17.30 UK time (16.30 GMT).
While La Dea could retain joint top status with a victory, they are making the journey with a decimated squad.
Duvan Zapata has been diagnosed with a semi-membrane lesion to the thigh and could be out for several weeks.
Luis Muriel is also not in the travelling party after a knee problem flared up, while Josip Ilicic has terminated his contract by mutual consent.
Berat Djimsiti is out following a fracture and Jose Luis Palomino is suspended after failing a pre-season doping test.
The options in attack are so limited that 19-year-old Hojlund could get his first Serie A start.
He cost €17m to sign from Sturm Graz in late August and is considered to be the new Erling Haaland, already with three Under-21 caps for Denmark.
Atalanta squad: Boga, Demiral, de Roon, Ederson, Hateboer, Hojlund, Koopmeiners, Lookman, Maehle, Malinovskyi, Musso, Okoli, Pasalic, Rossi, Ruggeri, Scalvini, Soppy, Sportiello, Toloi, Zappacosta, Zortea