Atalanta BC return to Serie A action on Wednesday afternoon looking to kick-start their campaign after a disappointing end to 2022.
At a time when the visitors sit in sixth position in the standings, Spezia are in 17th spot, six points clear of the relegation zone.
Match preview
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Having been left without European football this season, there had been the expectation that Atalanta may only get stronger before the World Cup given their greater rest time in comparison to many of their rivals.
However, Gian Piero Gasperini's lost four of their five games before the break in action, resulting in the club dropping out of title contention and into sixth spot.
In two of those games - versus leaders Napoli and Inter Milan - Atalanta held a lead, only to concede goals in flurries to succumb to defeats which could prove pivotal at the end of the campaign.
Although Atalanta remain with one of the best away records in Serie A, I Nerazzurri saw their six-match unbeaten record on the road come to an end when they lost 2-1 at struggling Lecce on November 9.
While Gasperini will be confident of getting back on track on Wednesday, yet another setback would leave open the possibility of Atalanta being cut adrift from the teams competing for Champions League qualification.
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From Spezia's perspective, they are used to prolonged winless streaks this season, twice going at least five games without success.
Nevertheless, collecting four points from meetings with Udinese and Hellas Verona before the World Cup has moved Aquilotti clear of the bottom three.
Luca Gotti will not be getting carried away with his side failing to prevail in consecutive league games all season, but there have been signs for a while that one of the minnows of the division had been improving.
They had previously pushed Fiorentina and AC Milan all of the way, only failing to collect a point from each fixture due to goals scored in the 89th minute and beyond.
If results go their way in midweek, Spezia can move into 16th spot, only increasing the belief that they can avoid dropping down to the second tier.
Team News
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Spezia remain without first-choice goalkeeper Bartlomiej Dragowski, who sustained a broken ankle during the win over Verona last time out.
Jeroen Zoet will replace the Polish stopper between the sticks in what may be the only change made by Gotti for this fixture.
Albin Ekdal should retain his place in central midfield despite being replaced by Daniele Verde at half time of the Verona game.
Gasperoni will make at least one change to his starting lineup with Hans Hateboer missing out through injury.
Berat Djimsiti should feature in a back three, while Marten de Roon is available again after missing the final encounter before the World Cup.
Spezia possible starting lineup:
Zoet; Amian, Caldara, Kiwior; Holm, Ekdal, Ampadu, Agudelo, Bastoni; Gyasi, Nzola
Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:
Musso; Palomino, Demiral, Djimsiti; Maehle; De Roon, Koopmeiners, Soppy; Pasalic, Lookman; Zapata
We say: Spezia 1-2 Atalanta BC
Although Spezia head into this fixture in far better form than their more illustrious opponents, the break came at the wrong time for the home side. Atalanta have had chance to reset, and we feel that the visitors will come through this game with a hard-earned win.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Darren Plant
