Ajax vs Atalanta
9th December 1755hrs
Football – Europe – UEFA Champions League
Pick Draw & Over 3.5 Goals
Bookmaker Unibet
Odds: 13/2 odds taken 1505 GMT, Tuesday 8 December
Erik ten Hag’s Ajax and Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta meet at the Johan Cruyff Arena in a vital UEFA Champions League fixture on Wednesday. Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are already safely through to the last 16 as Group D winners, leaving just one qualification place up for grabs. Atalanta are second on eight points, with Ajax a point behind in third. Take a look at the latest odds and predictions.
Table of Contents
Ajax Preview – Will the Dutch side get the job done on home soil?
Erik ten Hag’s Ajax started Champions League Group D with a narrow 1-0 home loss to Liverpool. They then drew 2-2 in Bergamo before beating Midtjylland 2-1 at the MCH Arena in Herning on matchday three.
Before losing 1-0 to Liverpool again, Ajax kept their Round of 16 hopes alive with a 3-1 victory over Midtjylland at the Johan Cruyff Arena. They were helped by the Danes last week, as they held Atalanta to a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia.
Ajax’s task is very clear; they must beat Atalanta in Amsterdam to go through. At the time of writing, Ten Hag’s men are the favourites at 6/5. Can the Dutch side get the job done on their own patch?
Atalanta Preview – Can the Italians avoid defeat in Amsterdam?
Free-scoring Atalanta are in pole position to join Liverpool in the last 16. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side are on eight points after five games, winning two, drawing two and losing one.
The Serie A side picked up four points from their first two before a heavy 5-0 home loss to Liverpool. Atalanta then shocked the Premier League champions on matchday four, with second-half goals from Josip Ilicic and Robin Gosens giving them a famous 2-0 win.
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Unfortunately for the club from Bergamo, they missed the chance to qualify for the knockout rounds early after only managing a draw with Midtjylland last time out. If could have been worse, though, with Cristian Romero’s 79th-minute goal rescuing a point for the Italians.
A draw will be enough for Atalanta but sitting back and defending is not in their nature. La Dea will want to book their spot in the Round of 16 by winning in Amsterdam.
Ajax vs Atalanta Betting Advice
When the pair squared off in Bergamo back in October, which was the first ever meeting between the clubs, they played out a thrilling 2-2 draw. First-half goals from Dusan Tadic and Lassina Traore put the side from Holland 2-0 up. However, a brace from Duvan Zapata after the break rescued a point for Atalanta.
Key Facts – Ajax vs Atalanta Betting Tip
- Ajax head into Wednesday’s crunch match having lost their last two
- Atalanta have lost just once away from home in all competitions this season
- October’s game was the first time that these two clubs had met
Gasperini’s men are not in the best form, winning just one of their last five in all competitions. As for Ajax, after six straight league and cup wins, they have lost their last two.
After the enthralling draw in Bergamo a couple of months back, we can see a similar outcome here. Take a punt on the draw and over 3.5 goals at 13/2.
The best betting odds for Ajax vs Atalanta
Ajax to win: 6/5 at Bet365
Draw: 3/1 at Bet365
Atalanta to win: 15/8 at Bet365