Villarreal vs Atalanta
14th September 2000hrs
Football – Spain – Champions League
Pick Draw
Bookmaker William Hill
Odds: 5/2 odds taken 20:28 GMT on 12th September, 2021
This could be one of the more intriguing matches from the first round of Champions League matches on Tuesday night.
Villarreal are not an easy team to knock over and the reigning Europa League champions will be hoping for a positive start in the Champions League.
They face Italian side Atalanta who managed to get out of last season’s Group Stage.
Table of Contents
Villarreal Preview – Can Spaniards find their winning touch
Villarreal capped off last season with a penalty shoot-out success over Manchester United in the Europa League Final.
That sparked a run of five straight drawn matches that they are on (over 90 minutes).
Also in that run, they had a penalty shootout against Chelsea in the European Super Cup (which they lost).
So in this season’s new La Liga season, it’s been a run of three drawn matches by Villarreal.
Two of those finished 0-0, the other was a 2-2 spirited effort at Atletico Madrid.
So the goals don’t look as if they are going to flow.
In the match tonight for Champions League betting, Villarreal are 6/4 * (odds recorded 20:28 GMT on 12th September 2021).
Their form in the Champions League does need some drastic improvement.
Villarreal have lost their last eight games in the competition.
They have drawn at half time and lost at full time in each of their last three fixtures in the Champions League.
Villarreal had their league game against Alaves postponed on the weekend, so they have a little extra rest.
This is the fourth Champions League campaign for Villarreal, losing all six games played in the most recent campaign which was in 2011/12.
The Yellow Submarine have lost seven straight group stage fixtures.
However, against non-Spanish opposition, Villarreal are undefeated in 25 European matches (W16 D9)
Their home record against Italian teams is W7 D1 L2, losing two of the last three.
Everything about this has the look of it being a low-scoring game.
Under 2.5 goals is a quote of 6/5* (odds recorded 20:28 GMT on 12th September 2021).
Atalanta Preview – Can Italians get over early stutters?
Serie A side Atalanta have not exactly hit the ground running this season with just one win on the board.
It has been a W1 D1 L1 record from them in Serie A, going winless in two.
In last season’s Champions League, Atalanta played some very good stuff and got past the group stage.
They lost to Real Madrid in the Round of Sixteen.
But that’s two previous Champions League campaigns and they have progressed to the knockout stage in both.
Interestingly all three wins that they took in the Champions League last season were to nil away from home.
That included a 2-0 success at Liverpool.
In the match outright the win for Atalanta is at a quote of 13/8* (odds recorded 20:28 GMT on 12th September 2021).
They just haven’t looked quite at their best yet.
Extending a look back to their form from last season as well, Atalanta have one win in five (D1 L3).
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Atalanta finished third in Serie A last season and were runners up to Juventus in the Coppa Italia.
There has not been a lot of previous experience for Atalanta against Spanish opposition.
Both previous experiences came in the Champions League Round of 16 against Valencia and Real Madrid.
From that, they are W2 L2.
On their day, Atlanta are a good open, attacking side, but they may not be fully up to speed in the new campaign.
Villarreal vs Atalanta Betting Advice
The preference here is to swing towards a low scoring fixture as neither have looked particularly great this season.
So the Under 2.5 goals at 6/5 looks like a good proposition* (odds recorded 20:28 GMT on 12th September 2021).
Looking at the state of play, particularly how resilient Villarreal are, we can’t get past the draw.
Key Facts – Villarreal vs Atalanta Betting Tip
- Villarreal have drawn their last five matches (90 minutes)
- Villarreal are the reigning Europa League champions
- Atalanta won three matches to nil away from home in last season’s UCL
That’s five straight drawn matches from Villarreal and in that, they have held out against Man Utd, Chelsea and Atletico Madrid.
That should prove enough to keep Atalanta at arm’s length on Tuesday night.
Match outright draw at 5/2 is the main Champions League football betting tip* (odds recorded 20:28 GMT on 12th September 2021).
The best betting odds for Villarreal vs Atalanta
Villarreal to win: 6/4 at Bet365
Draw: 5/2 at Bet365
Atalanta to win: 13/8 at Bet365
