Pisa return to the Serie A stage for the first time in 34 years with a tricky away trip to Atalanta on the opening weekend this Sunday.
It will be an unfamiliar day for the hosts too, as they take to the field without Gian Piero Gasperini in charge for the first time in a decade.
Click here to see our other Serie A betting tips ahead of the opening weekend.
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Atalanta vs Pisa prediction: La Dea to start strongly
Key stats
- Atalanta finished third in Serie A last season, amassing an impressive 74 points in 38 games.
- Eight of Pisa’s final 12 Serie B games last season produced more than 2.5 goals.
- Atalanta found the net 78 times in Serie A last season, averaging 2.05 goals per game.
- Pisa failed to find the net and managed just five shots in their Coppa Italia tie with Cesena last weekend.
Correct score prediction: Atalanta 3-0 Pisa
The early signs do not look great for Pisa, who are predicted to struggle on their return to the top flight, and even though Atalanta are something of an unknown quantity in the post-Gasperini era, they have the individual quality to win comfortably here.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Atalanta the clear favourites
- HOME: 2/5 (1.40) – 71.4%
- DRAW: 19/5 (4.80) – 20.8%
- AWAY: 13/2 (7.50) – 13.3%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
New manager Ivan Juric is a disciple of Gasperini, so a continuation of Atalanta’s ferocious attacking game should be in store this season, and that makes them great value this week, despite being as short as 2/5.
Lengthening the odds is worth considering, because Atalanta (-1) is priced at 11/10, with (-2) available at odds of 5/2.
For more from the upcoming matches in Europe, today’s free football betting tips look at some of the best picks.
Most recent H2Hs: History favours Atalanta
The two clubs have not met in Serie A since 1990-91, when Atalanta won both meetings without conceding, and a similar fate befell Pisa in the two Coppa Italia second round ties since, with La Dea coming out on top in both once again, in 2005 and 2014.
Coppa Italia 23/08/14
Atalanta
Pisa
Atalanta preview: New-look attack for new manager
Last season’s top scorer Mateo Retegui has left the club, and Ademola Lookman looks certain to follow, so there will be a fresh look to Atalanta’s attack this season, with Nikola Krstovic the big-money addition from Lecce.
Full-back pairing Sead Kolasinac and Mitchel Bakker are the only two absentees for the hosts, while they have also lost fellow defender Rafael Toloi on a free to Sao Paulo.
Predicted lineup: Carnesecchi (GK), Kossounou, Hien, Djimsiti, Bellanova, Pasalic, De Roon, Zappacosta, De Ketelaere, Krstovic & Maldini
Italy Serie A 12/05/25
W Roma 1 Atalanta 2 Italy Serie A 04/05/25
W Monza 0 Atalanta 4 Italy Serie A 27/04/25
D Lecce 1 Atalanta 1 Italy Serie A 20/04/25
W AC Milan 0 Atalanta 1 Italy Serie A 13/04/25
W Bologna 0 Atalanta 2
Pisa preview: Top-flight experience lacking for the most part
Pisa’s modest budget means they have been unable to bolster much this summer, but veteran Juan Cuadrado is the most eye-catching arrival, along with Michel Aebisher, who is a fine addition in midfield.
Young acquisition Isak Vural is not yet up to match fitness, while Mateus Lusuardi, Pietro Beruatto and Tomas Esteves remain sidelined with injury.
Predicted lineup: Semper (GK), Caracciolo, Denoon, Canestrelli, Toure, Marin, Aebischer, Angori, Tramoni, Moreo, Lind
Italy Serie B 13/05/25
W
Cremonese
1
Pisa
2
Italy Serie B 09/05/25
D
Sudtirol
3
Pisa
3
Italy Serie B 04/05/25
L
Bari
1
Pisa
0
Italy Serie B 01/05/25
W
Frosinone
0
Pisa
1
Italy Serie B 25/04/25
W
Brescia
1
Pisa
2
Player to watch: Nikola Krstovic
Atalanta have spent upwards of £20m on bringing Montenegrin international Krstovic in from Lecce, and he has already opened his account this season, scoring for his former club in their Coppa Italia win over Juve Stabia last week, after also scoring or assisting each of their final three goals of the season in Serie A in May.
The 25-year-old should not need much time to get up grips with things at the Gewiss Stadium, and he could start here, with Krstovic filling big shoes in the outgoing Capocannoniere winner Retegui.