Napoli 0-2 Atalanta
Of all the football games in Serie A, of all the season-long betting tips, there is one story which has most surprised sports betting fans.
No, not a 30th consecutive home win for Juventus (a routine 2-0 success over stubborn Empoli) as they bid for a sixth straight title; nor the brilliance of Radja Nainggolan whose double at Inter kept Roma’s outside title hopes alive; nor the pending Milan takeover; nor the Joe Hart and Andrea Belotti heroics which piled on the misery for Viola boss Paulo Sousa.
No, it is the emergence of one club at the expense of some of the Italian heavyweights which has captured the imagination, and in the words of Gian Piero Gasperini, they are now ‘authorised to dream’.
If any proof were needed of how they are taking heed of the advice of their manager, it came at Bergamo this weekend where more than 3,000 fans greeted their heroes following a shock 2-0 victory at Napoli.
I am, of course, talking about Atalanta who are enjoying their best ever Serie A campaign and in the heady heights of fourth place, now just three points away from the Neapolitans.
Not bad for the Orobici, a club more used to being involved in a relegation scrap.
A brace from Mattia Caldara – bound for Juventus – stunned the hosts, who hit the crossbar twice, and not even the dismissal of Franck Kessie could stop them in their tracks.
The Europa League is their realistic aim, not Champions League qualification which a top three finish will bring.
Yet, for a club which will soon lose Caldara and last month sold Roberto Gagliardini to Inter Milan, it was further proof their investment in youth is paying dividends – five of the players who defeated Napoli came through their academy.
Their work in youth development and nurturing of young talent is a factor why this club is daring to dream right now – almost as high as their place in the foothills of the Alps.
For the latest sports update, promotions and betting picks with SBOBET get social with our official Twitter, Google+, YouTube and Facebook accounts. Visit SBOBET and join us now. Start placing your bets today!
Click for more football betting options.
