Atalanta V Shakhtar Donetsk
Tuesday, 1 October 2019 – 17:55 Kick-Off
UEFA Champions League
Pick: Over 2.5 Goals
Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: BetVictor
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4/5 | 31/10 | 16/5 |
* (All betting odds displlayed were correct as of 29th September 2019 at 13:10)
Preview: A hugely important fixture between Atalanta and Shakhtar Donetsk, with the pair already on the back foot in Group C after losing their respective openers. This will also be a momentous occasion for the former, who will be on hosting duties for a Champions League group stage encounter for the very first time in the club’s history, doing so at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia.
UEFA Champions League Betting – 22Bet
Atalanta Preview – Le Dea to power back from Matchday 1 setback?
Unfortunately for the club from Bergamo in northern Italy, their debut in this competition did not go according to plan. Neither will it be remembered in the fondest of terms following a 4-0 defeat in Croatia to Dinamo Zagreb. It was an extremely harsh scoreline on the third best team in the country in 2018/19, who created enough chances to warrant the bear minimum of a consolation goal (xG: DIN 2.52 – 1.79 ATA) on a night where seemingly nothing went as they imagined.
The response since that setback has been very positive, though, recording successive victories back in Italy in Serie A over AS Roma (0-2) and,more recently, Sassuolo (1-4). The latter was particularly impressive due to the manner in which ‘La Dea’ begun proceedings, surging into a 4-0 lead within the opening 35 minutes of the first half. Those goals would make it 15 altogether from only six league games played, which is an illustration of the attacking potency this team carries.
Perhaps the performance out in Croatia was down to nerves and an obvious lack of experience, as Atalanta clearly didn’t do themselves justice and are evidently capable of producing better. What we cannot be so sure about is whether we will witness this ‘better’ Atalanta on Tuesday. That is because the side currently managed by Gian Piero Gasperini have struggled at home in the early throes of this season, failing to win either of their two games so far (D1 L1) whilst conceding five times in the process.
Shakhtar Donetsk Preview – Savvy Ukrainians not to be taken lightly?
Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk, who are well on course to clinch a fourth successive Premier League title after winning all nine of their opening matches domestically, were handed the unenviable task of opening their account in this season’s Champions League at home to the competition favourites. It went as expected, which was them losing convincingly to a vastly superior Manchester City team – and deservedly so, according to Expected Goals (xG: SHA 0.59 – 2.75 MAN).
Games against the other teams in this section (those more akin to their own level) were always going to appeal more to them, and coach Luis Castro will hope the superior experience and nous that his team can boast in this competition can aide them in securing a positive result in Italy. Although, this is a club with just two Champions League group stage victories to its name in the past three seasons (W2 D1 L6).
Last season, meanwhile, they would collect a clean slate of outcomes on their travels during the group campaign (W1 D1 L1), conceding a minimum of two goals on each outing. Thrashed 6-0 in Manchester by that same irrepressible Man City outfit, Shakhtar would fare much better versus the lesser fancied teams in the section, drawing 2-2 in Lyon as well as winning 3-2 in Germany against Hoffenheim.
Atalanta V Shakhtar Donetsk Key Facts:
- Italian club Atalanta will host a Champions League group stage fixture for the very first time, warming up with a 4-1 hammering of Sassuolo at the weekend.
- Shakhtar Donetsk possess plenty of experience when it comes to this competition, finishing their 2018/19 group stage campaign with a mixed away record: W1 D1 L1.
- Goals are usually assured with these two teams, with their respective league games this season both averaging around the four goals per game mark.
Betting Summary
Key to any potential success for Atalanta will again come down to how well their dangerous attacking unit performs, one whose scoring output in last season’s Serie A was unrivalled but did, however, fire blanks in Croatia first time out. The signs are encouraging, though, thrashing Sassuolo 4-1 at the weekend to make it fifteen goals in only six league games. Colombian Duvan Zapata accounts for a third of that total and the imposing striker is 11/10 to score anytime with Unibet.
The visitors boast a wealth of experience at this level. Therefore dismissing Shakhtar Donetsk could be precarious. Last season’s group campaign would produce successful outcomes away to Lyon (2-2) and Hoffenheim (W2-3), form strong enough to suggest a result against Italian newcomers is more than attainable. However, their away form over a slightly longer period at this stage of the tournament is less impressive, losing six of the last nine (W2 D1 L6).
Both teams will be viewing this fixture as winnable, which should mean neither will hold back in their efforts to do so. There should be goals regardless. Shakhtar’s away games in the 2018/19 group stage averaged above four per game, while Atalanta games generally feature goals. Over 3.5 Goals appeals at 15/8 with BetVictor, with Atalanta Win/Over 3.5 Goals worth considering at 7/2 with Boylesports.
