Atalanta can move to within two points of Lazio with a ninth consecutive Serie A victory, so Josip Ilicic, Papu Gomez and Duvan Zapata start against Sampdoria.
It kicks off at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo at 20.45 UK time (19.45 GMT).
Atalanta can move to within two points of Lazio with a ninth consecutive Serie A victory, so Josip Ilicic, Papu Gomez and Duvan Zapata start against Sampdoria.
It kicks off at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo at 20.45 UK time (19.45 GMT).
Gian Piero Gasperini’s men are unstoppable at the moment, even though they struggled more than expected to break down 10-man Cagliari in a 1-0 win at the weekend.
Lazio’s collapse at Lecce last night means a win would put Atalanta just two points off second place and their next opponents after this are leaders Juventus, so anything is still possible.
Ilicic has now recovered from an ankle sprain, so he starts with Papu Gomez and Duvan Zapata, the first time they’ve all been together in the initial XI since March.
Jose Luis Palomino is suspended, so Rafael Toloi returns to bolster the defence, with Marten de Roon rested.
Atalanta failed to score in only two Serie A games this season, both in November against Cagliari and Sampdoria.
Claudio Ranieri is also unbeaten in his last 14 Serie A meetings with La Dea, not to mention fresh off back-to-back victories that dragged them out of the danger zone.
Lorenzo Tonelli, Ronaldo Vieira and Alex Ferrari are all injured, but Morten Thorsby returns from suspension in midfield.
Fabio Quagliarella is still not fit enough to start, but Manolo Gabbiadini is chosen as the line centre-forward.
Atalanta: Gollini; Toloi, Caldara, Djimsiti; Hateboer, Pasalic, Freuler, Gosens; Gomez; Ilicic, Duvan Zapata
Sampdoria: Audero; Bereszynski, Yoshida, Colley, Murru; Thorsby, Jankto, Ekdal, Linetty, Depaoli; Gabbiadini
Ref: Giua