Ace Football previews the Champions League match between Atalanta and Liverpool, and offers the latest betting tips, odds, line-ups, and team news.
Liverpool’s mettle will be put to the test in a tricky trip to Atalanta for their third Group D fixture in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
The Premier League champions have made a perfect start to take an early lead in the group table. Although Atalanta, who sit two points behind in second, can spoil that. They’re one of Europe’s most prolific teams and should put the visitors’ makeshift defense to test in Bergamo.
It will be the first time these two teams have met in a competitive fixture ever. But, based on the scoring prowess of them both, the Gewiss Stadium looks set to play host to another exciting affair in Europe.
Atalanta Form & Stats
One defeat in 17 European home games is a good omen for Gian Piero Gasperini’s side. Victory over Liverpool would also lift them into the top spot in Group D at the halfway point and set a course for the knockouts.
Atalanta have enjoyed a far better start in the Champions League compared to last season. A 4-0 opening day win over Midtjylland in Denmark was a solid effort before a second-half comeback against Ajax last week salvaged a 2-2 draw. It’s left them with four points from two games.
On the domestic front, meanwhile, last season’s quarter-finalists claimed a 2-1 win over Crotone on Saturday to move up to fourth in the Serie A standings on 12 points from six games (W4 L2).
Atalanta are also famed for their ultra-attacking style of play, with 23 goals in just eight games in all competitions this season. They bagged a league-best tally of 98 goals in last season’s Serie A campaign.
Key Team Stats
- Over 3.5 goals in seven of their last eight games in all competitions.
- BTTS in eight of their last nine games in all competitions.
- Won just two of their six home games in the Champions League (D2 L2).
Liverpool Form & Stats
Jurgen Klopp has lost in all his five visits as a manager to Italy, including three with Liverpool, and will desperately hope to end his terrible record in Bergamo.
Detaining Atalanta’s lethal strike-force, however, promises to be a hard night for the Reds boss and his makeshift defense. Injuries have cost him Virgil van Dijk and Fabinho, with the club already conceding 15 goals in the Premier League alone.
Although Liverpool appear to have returned to form, having won their last four games in all competitions. This included back-to-back successes over Ajax and Midtjylland in the Champions League.
The possible returns of Thiago Alcantara, Naby Keita, and Joel Matip would serve as a timely boost. The latter two have traveled to Bergamo and will be, as Klopp described, ‘late, late, late’ decisions.
Key Team Stats
- Won their last four games in all competitions.
- Over 2.5 goals in four of their last six games in all competitions.
- Winless in their last four trips to Italy in the Champions League.
- Mohamed Salah has scored eight goals in 11 games in all competitions.
Team News
Atalanta
Out: Marten de Roon, Mattia Caldara, & Robin Gosens.
Doubt/s: N/A
Liverpool
Out: Virgil van Dijk, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, Fabinho, Nathaniel Phillips, & Thiago.
Doubt/s: Naby Keita, Konstantinos Tsimikas, & Joel Matip.
Predicted Line-ups
(Note: The image will change to the official XI once they’re both announced)
Top goalscorers in recent UCL games
Head-To-Head Analysis
Tuesday’s showdown will be the first competitive encounter between Atalanta and Liverpool.
Here are some key head-to-head stats from the clubs’ latest Champions League games instead.
Match Facts
Betting Tips
More odds
Be sure not to miss out on the latest news about Liverpool
Download our brand new App and follow your favorite players, clubs, and much more
