Atalanta vs Valencia Betting Tip Atalanta – 19 February 2020

Atalanta to take first leg lead

18th February 2020 / callum
Remo Freuler /Atalanta ©imago images / Gribaudi / ImagePhoto 19.02.2020

ItalyAtalanta vs ValenciaSpain
19th February 2000hrs
Football – Europe – Champions League
Pick Atalanta
Bookmaker Unibet
Odds: 10/13 odds taken 2000 GMT, Tuesday 18 February

The comeback kings Atalanta host Valencia on Wednesday as both teams chase what would be a surprise place in the quarter-finals for either of the two.

Bet at Unibet

 

Atalanta Preview – Can Atalanta continue their European adventure and tick off a third straight win in the competition?

For the majority of the group stage it looked as though Atalanta’s debut season in the competition would be a short-lived one. The Italians lost their first three games in the section and a 1-1 draw against 10-man Manchester City didn’t look enough at the time in their fourth game.
Fortunately, results elsewhere where kind to them and two resounding victories against Dinamo Zagreb and Shakthar Donetsk to close out the group was enough to see them complete a remarkable turnaround to qualify. That change in fortunes meant Atalanta became the first team since the change of format in the Champions League (2003/04) to qualify for the knockout phase having lost their first three matches.
Our betting prediction:
Atalanta to score in both halves
7/4


Bet at William Hill

 

As top scorers in Serie A it’s somewhat surprising to note that Atalanta scored only eight goals in their six group games. There is obvious a significant difference between domestic and European football and with this being the Bergamo club’s first appearance in the Champions League there is bound to be an adjustment period for the players.
A positive they can take from the group stage is that Atalanta have the biggest differential in terms of expected goals and goals scored. The Italian’s expected goals in the group phase was 12.9. If they can begin to convert more of those chances they will give themselves a big chance of progressing.

Valencia Preview – Will Valencia maintain their unbeaten away record in the competition and take a big step to quarter-finals?

Since reaching two finals in the early part of this century Valencia have done very little in the competition. This will be the Spaniards first appearance in the knockout phase since 2013 and they have done so as group winners. Albert Celades – who only took charge of the team in September – led Valencia to the top of a section which contained Chelsea and last year’s semi-finalists Ajax.

Hug 1-0 away victories against both of those clubs proved to be the different for Valencia and it mans they will travel to Italy confident of doing something similar and belief in their style to achieve that.

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Valencia’s only defeat in the group stage was at home to Ajax but they have a less impressive record away from home in the knockout stages. Incredibly, the La Liga side have never won on their travels after the group stage. Of course, a draw would not be a terrible result on this occasion with the home leg still to come.

Key to any positive result for Valencia will be striker Rodrigo. The Spanish international has been involved in four (two goals, two assists) of Valencia’s goals in the group stage.

Atalanta vs Valencia Betting Advice

This is very much a clash of two styles as the rampaging, dynamic attack of Atalanta comes up against a resilient, well organised Valencia team who have given little away since the 3-0 home loss to Ajax. It will not be a huge surprise to note that this will be the first time the teams have met in a competitive fixture. Indeed, it’s the first time Atalanta have faced Spanish opposition.

Key Facts – Atalanta vs Valencia Betting Tip

  • This will be the first time Atalanta face Spanish opposition in a competitive fixture
  • This is the first time Valencia have qualified for the knockout phase since 2012/13
  • Atalanta continue to play their home games in the Champions League at the San Siro due to theor own stadium undergoing renovations

 

This is the tie which the rest of the quarter-finalists will want to face the winners of. It would be naive to write off either however, especially Atalanta. Ajax surprised many last year with their all-out attack and excellent technicians. The Italians are very similar and with them and are going from strength to strength this season. They can make ‘home’ advantage count and take a lead to Valencia in early March.

The best betting odds for Atalanta vs Valencia

 

Atalanta to win: 3/4 at Bet365
Draw: 14/5 at Bet365
Valencia to win: 7/2 at Bet365