Pisa vs Atalanta

Pisa's difficult adjustment to life back in Serie A continued at the weekend as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Udinese. They scored first but had to come from behind to salvage a point, extending a winless run to nine league matches (0W, 4D, 5L). That sequence leaves the Towers rooted to the bottom of the table on 13 points (1W, 10D, 9L).

Draws have become a defining feature of Pisa's campaign, with a league-high ten of their league fixtures ending level. The home form has been particularly problematic: only three draws have come at the Arena Garibaldi, where they have managed just one league victory all season (1W, 3D, 6L). Alarmingly, they have failed to score in those six defeats.

With time running out, Friday night represents another crucial chance to reverse that trend.

The reverse fixture between these sides on the opening day ended in a 1-1 draw, marking their first Serie A meeting since 1991. Atalanta have otherwise had the upper hand in recent encounters, winning both Coppa Italia clashes in between without conceding.

Pisa's task is complicated by absentees, with Antonio Caracciolo suspended, while Juan Cuadrado, Raúl Albiol, Calvin Stengs and Mateus Lusuardi are sidelined through injury. Ebenezer Akinsanmiro is away at the Africa Cup of Nations. However, new recruit Rafiu Durosinmi could help spark a blunt forward line, and Henrik Meister and Stefano Moreo may start upfront in a 3-4-2-1 setup.

Atalanta [WLWWW] arrive in Tuscany full of confidence after a 2-0 victory over Torino. The win moved them to seventh on 31 points [8W, 7D, 5L].

They drew seven of their opening nine league games [2W, 7D, 0L]. La Dea have not shared the spoils since.

That resurgence has coincided with Raffaele Palladino’s appointment. The coach has won six of his nine league matches in charge [6W, 0D, 3L], with two of the three defeats coming against title challengers Inter and Napoli.

Improvements have also been evident away from home, where Atalanta have won their last two league trips [WW] without conceding.

Injury issues persist, though, as Berat Djimsiti joins Sead Kolašinac, Raoul Bellanova, and Mitchel Bakker on the sidelines, while Ademola Lookman remains absent due to AFCON.

Nikola Krstović may continue up front in a 3-4-2-1 setup.