The Round of 16 match in the Coppa Italia between Atalanta and Cesena will take place on December 18 at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo. Atalanta vs. Cesena: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Referee: Daniele Perenzoni (Italy)
Matches – 9 (Serie B and Coppa Italia, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 38;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.2;
Red cards shown – 3;
Average fouls per match – 26;
Penalties – 22%.
Predicted lineups for Atalanta vs. Cesena
Atalanta (3-4-3): Marco Carnesecchi – Isak Hien, Sead Kolasinac, Odilon Kossounou – Raoul Bellanova, Ederson Lourenco, Matteo Ruggeri, Mario Pasalic – Marco Brescianini, Charles De Ketelaere – Mateo Retegui.
Cesena (3-4-2-1): Jonathan Klinsmann – Giuseppe Prestia, Massimiliano Mangraviti, Marco Curto – Matteo Francesconi, Giacomo Calo, Joseph Sese, Daniele Donnarumma – Tommaso Berti, Mirko Antonucci – Cristian Shpend.
Each team's starting lineup from their previous match is listed.
Atalanta
The Bergamaschi finished last season in 4th place, allowing them to start this year's Coppa Italia from the Round of 16. In the previous edition, the team reached the final match of the tournament, where they lost to Juventus 0-1. The club also reached the final in 2019 and 2021, but they have only won the Coppa Italia once, back in 1963.
- The Bergamaschi have been involved in 11 uncompromising matches in this tournament (6 wins and 5 losses).
- The number "1" has appeared in the scoreline at the end of regular time in Atalanta's last six Coppa Italia matches.
- The club has not lost the first half in their last 10 home games in this tournament (7 wins and 3 draws).
Cesena
The Serie B representative has already passed three stages in the Coppa Italia. The team started with a home win over Padova (3-1), followed by two away victories against Verona (2-1) and Pisa (1-0). The last time the club reached this stage was in the 2016/17 season, which they successfully passed with an away victory over Sassuolo (2-1). However, Cesena did not progress past the quarter-finals, losing away to Roma 1-2. Last season, the team exited the tournament in August, losing to Bologna on their field (0-2).
- The team has lost only twice in regular time in their last 12 Coppa Italia matches (7 wins and 3 draws).
- Both teams scored in 8 of Cesena's last 10 games in this tournament.
- The number "1" was in the scoreline at the end of regular time in 8 of the club's last 10 Coppa Italia matches.
Atalanta vs. Cesena: Match Prediction
Last season, the Bergamaschi missed out on two trophies despite winning the Europa League: they lost both the Coppa Italia final and the UEFA Super Cup. Judging by the performances Gian Piero Gasperini's side is showing this season, they clearly intend to improve their results. Atalanta is among the leaders in Serie A and has a good chance of reaching the Champions League playoffs, potentially advancing straight to the Round of 16.
It's unlikely that Atalanta will pass up the opportunity in the Coppa Italia, especially since their Round of 16 opponent seems manageable. Even in Serie B, Cesena struggles away, having earned only 5 points from 8 matches (1 win and 2 draws). At home in the Coppa Italia, the Bergamaschi only lose to top-4 contenders. In other cases, the club often wins by two or more goals. Atalanta has not faced lower league opponents at home in the Coppa Italia for over 8 years, and they consistently defeated them with more than a one-goal margin and often without conceding.
I am confident that the hosts will easily handle the Serie B representative this time as well. My prediction: Atalanta with a handicap (-1.5)
