Prediction: Atalanta vs Real Madrid

Verdict: Atalanta draw no bet

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Unibet

Two sides looking to pick up an early advantage on Wednesday night, Italian outfit Atalanta will face off against Real Madrid at the Gewiss Stadium.

Atalanta

Starting with the hosts, while Atalanta might have seen their unbeaten run come to an abrupt end at the hands of Lazio last month, La Dea have bounced back in an eye-catching fashion. On the verge of finding a route back into the top-four, Head Coach Gian Piero Gasperini saw his side put in another impressive performance over the weekend. Welcoming Napoli to the Gewiss Stadium on Sunday, I Nerazzurri secured a 4-2 romp on home soil and they have won each of their last three straight matchups across all formats. Smelling what should be a chance to cause an upset in midweek, Atalanta have remarkably lost just one of their last 20 matchups across all competitions, a run that stems all the way back to November 28th. Still holding a much-feared reputation for their clinical edge in the final third, Gasperini should also be boosted by Luis Muriel’s recent purple patch. Once again finding the net against Napoli over the weekend, the 29-year-old has three in his last three Serie A contests and already has 17 goals to his name this season.

Team News

Aside from defender Hans Hateboer who will once again be missing on Wednesday night, Atalanta have no fresh injury concerns to worry about.

Real Madrid

As for the visitors, while Real Madrid might have also signed off January with a defeat at the hands of Levante, Los Blancos find themselves in a similar position to their Italian opponents. Managing to make up some ground in their bid to reclaim their La Liga title this season, the Whites cut their deficit at the top of the table to just three points over the weekend after picking up a 1-0 victory away at Real Valladolid. Gaining some much-needed momentum heading into their showdown in Bergamo this week, Zinedine Zidane’s men have won each of their last four top-flight matchups on the bounce. Looking to pick up an early advantage on Wednesday night, the former French icon will be desperate for his side to end their European struggles on foreign soil. Just about managing to avoid a real scare as they booked their spot in the knockout stage of this year’s tournament, Madrid were last seen on their travels suffering a stunning 2-0 defeat away at Shakhtar Donetsk. In fact, the Whites have managed to win just one of their last four Champions League contests on the road.

Team News

In another injury blow for Real Madrid, the Spanish giants have confirmed they will be without top scorer Karim Benzema in midweek.

The French striker joins Eden Hazard, Rodrygo, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Eder Militao, Daniel Carvajal and Federico Valverde all on the sidelines.

Key Factors to Consider

• Along with winning their last three matchups across all formats, Atalanta have lost just one of their last 20 appearances, a run that stems back to the end of November.
• Likewise, Real Madrid have won each of their last four La Liga contests on the spin.
• Luis Muriel has found the net in his last three Serie A contests on the bounce and has 19 strikes so far this season.
• Real Madrid have managed to win just one of their last four Champions League matchups on the road.
• Four of Atalanta’s last five Champions League fixtures on home soil have finished with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

While Real Madrid might have managed to extend on their winning run away at Real Valladolid over the weekend, Los Blancos could face a stern test on foreign soil in midweek. Still in the midst of a real injury crisis and with a reputation for their worrying European problems on the road, Atalanta could be smelling a real chance to lay down a marker and pick up an early advantage. Landing themselves a pair of eye-catching wins against Napoli since opening February, La Dea have lost just a single matchup across all formats in each of their last 20 outings, a run that stems back to the end of November. Looking to cash in on an altered Madrid side in midweek, don’t be surprised to see Atalanta leave with something to show for their troubles.

Verdict: Atalanta draw no bet

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Unibet