Prediction: Atalanta vs Celtic

Verdict: Mateo Retegui to score anytime

Best Odds: 5/4

Bookmaker: Dachbet

In what could prove to be another fiery Champions League affair on Wednesday night, Atalanta will welcome Celtic to Bergamo.

Atalanta

Starting with the hosts, crowned Europa League champions last season following a sensational 3-0 romp against Bayer Leverkusen on May 22nd, Atalanta certainly cemented their spot as one of Europe’s ultimate surprise packages. However, while La Dea might have drastically struggled to find any kind of stability when opening up the new campaign, the Bergamo-based outfit have turned a real corner on either side of October’s international break. Marking their return from the fortnight interval with a routine performance away at Venezia as they secured a 2-0 victory, Gian Piero Gasperini’s men have won each of their previous three appearances across all competitions. Getting a maiden Champions League win on the board earlier in the month as they stormed their way to a 3-0 romp against Shakhtar, Atalanta could be smelling the chance to extend on their recent flurry in midweek.

Team News

Yet to make a single appearance across any competition so far this season after sustaining a long-term knee injury over the summer, former West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca remains on the sidelines. Likewise, still dealing with a thigh issue, Atalanta will also be without the services of veteran defender Rafael Toloi on Wednesday night.

Opening his Champions League account against Shakhtar earlier in the month, one-time Everton youngster Ademola Lookman will play a leading role for La Dea. Enjoying what has been a sensational start to life ion Bergamo and already notching eight Serie A goals in as many appearances, Mateo Retegui will spearhead Atalanta’s charge.

Celtic

As for the visitors, while Celtic might have got their Champions League adventure underway with a stunning 5-1 romp against Slovan Bratislava back on September 18th, Brendan Rodgers’ squad came crashing back down to earth in some style earlier in the month. Eventually falling to a remarkable 7-1 drumming at the hands of German giants Borussia Dortmund, the former Leicester boss should have another real tussle on his hands here when his side arrive in Bergamo. Forced to settle for an action-packed 2-2 stalemate at home against Aberdeen over the weekend following their return from the fortnight interval, Celtic are desperately seeking some much-needed defensive steel. Completely blown away when they travelled to rural Germany on October 1st, Rodgers’ men have now recorded just a sole clean sheet from any of their previous six appearances across all competitions.

Team News

Yet to make a single appearance since their Champions League triumph against Slovan Bratislava on September 18th, Celtic will once again be without former Tottenham defender Cameron Carter-Vickers on Wednesday night. Once again missing out against Aberdeen over the weekend, Scotland international Greg Taylor remains a major doubt here.

Opening his Champions League account in Glasgow last month and marking his return from October’s international break with a goal against Aberdeen on Saturday afternoon, Kyogo Furuhashi will keep his spot leading the line. Former Leicester skipper Kasper Schmeichel will start between the sticks in Bergamo.

Key Factors to Consider

• Wednesday’s showdown in Bergamo will be the first competitive meeting between Atalanta and Celtic.
• La Dea have won each of their previous three appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 10-1.
• Including an infamous 7-1 drumming away at Borussia Dortmund earlier in the month, Celtic have recorded just a sole clean sheet from any of their previous six appearances across all competitions.
• Four of Atalanta’s first five matchups in Bergamo across all formats have finished with over 4.5 goals.
• The red-hot Mateo Retegui has recorded eight goals in as many Serie A appearances so far this season.

Conclusion

Really turning a corner on either side of October’s international break, Atalanta should be smelling a potential opportunity here. Winning each of their previous three appearances by an aggregate score of 10-1, Wednesday’s hosts will be looking to cash in on a Celtic squad that have continued to show some real defensive issues. Along with that infamous 7-1 drumming away at Borussia Dortmund on October 1st, the Hoops have registered just a sole clean sheet from any of their previous six appearances.

Verdict: Mateo Retegui to score anytime

Best Odds: 5/4

Bookmaker: Dachbet