They face the Pirates at Glanford Park on Saturday week, and Atkins reckons the Iron can plunder the points against his side.
He told the Scunthorpe Telegraph: "Nerves will play a big part in what happens at the top of the table.
"I think Scunthorpe will be the one team that comes through though. They've added well to their squad this season, and they have something like seven players over the age of 34.
"At this stage of the season, although their legs might go a bit, they are the kind of players that have the nerve that you need when the pressure is taking its toll."