Juve's mean defence meets Atalanta's firepower in key Serie A clash

Juventus and Atalanta are set to collide in a blockbuster Serie A showdown with high stakes on Sunday as they aim to close the gap on leaders Inter Milan in the title race.

Fourth-placed Juve were the only top-four team to win in the last round, cutting the deficit to the leading trio who were held to draws and sparking fresh hope of a title charge.

With Juventus trailing Inter by six points and second-placed Napoli by five, the Turin side's hopes of mounting a title challenge are growing with 11 rounds to go. They are also now only three points behind third-placed Atalanta.

Thiago Motta’s Juve are on a five-match winning streak in Serie A and a victory at home to Atalanta would put them firmly in the title conversation.

However Juve's iron-clad defence - the stingiest in Serie A - will be put to the test against Atalanta’s relentless attacking duo of Mateo Retegui and Ademola Lookman, who have combined for a formidable 33 league goals this season.

Atalanta are also the league’s strongest away side. Gian Piero Gasperini’s men have not tasted a Serie A defeat on their travels since a crushing loss to Inter in August.

STRUGGLING NAPOLI

Napoli, recently knocked off top spot, will look for their first win since late January at home to Fiorentina on Sunday.

With David Neres and Andre-Frank Anguissa sidelined due to calf injuries, manager Antonio Conte continues to struggle in adapting the team to a new reality without exciting winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who joined Paris St Germain in January.

Fiorentina forward Moise Kean, recovering from a serious head injury suffered in late February, is back in their squad as the Florence side balance the demands of their Conference League trip to Panathinaikos on Thursday and the Napoli