Prediction: Barcelona vs Atalanta

Verdict: Home win

Best odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: 888sport

Barcelona will look to preserve their unbeaten run in 2025 as they welcome Atalanta for Wednesday’s Champions League clash at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.

The Blaugrana, already assured of a top-eight finish, still have a chance to top the league phase, while Atalanta, currently in seventh place, will aim to secure an automatic spot in the last 16 on matchday eight.

Barcelona

Barcelona trail table toppers Liverpool by just three points, having bounced back from an away defeat to Monaco with an impressive six-game winning streak in the group phase.

Hansi Flick’s men have defeated Young Boys, Bayern Munich, Red Star Belgrade, Brest, and Borussia Dortmund, capping off their streak with a dramatic comeback against Benfica last week. Despite trailing 3-1 and 4-2 in Lisbon, Barcelona secured all three points, thanks to Robert Lewandowski’s second penalty and a late surge. Eric Garcia’s 86th-minute equalizer set the stage for Raphinha’s 96th-minute winner at the Estadio da Luz.

Building on their momentum, Barcelona showcased their attacking prowess again in Sunday’s La Liga clash with Valencia. A dominant first half, highlighted by a Fermin Lopez brace, saw them score five times, before adding two more in the second half to clinch a stunning 7-1 victory. The win brought the third-placed side within seven points of league leaders Real Madrid.

Having won six and drawn one of their seven matches in 2025, Barcelona carry significant momentum into their first-ever competitive meeting with Atalanta. The hosts will aim to maintain their excellent Champions League home form, having won all three prior European home games this season by a combined 12-1 scoreline.

A victory for Barcelona could see them secure top spot in the group if Liverpool fail to take any points from their away fixture against PSV Eindhoven – a long shot, admittedly.

Team News

Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez remains unavailable due to a hamstring injury, while long-term absentees Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Marc Bernal continue their recovery from knee issues.

Meanwhile, attacker Dani Olmo is unlikely to feature on Wednesday, having missed the last two competitive games with a calf injury.

On a brighter note, Pedri has recovered from illness and could make a return to Barcelona’s midfield for the final league phase match.

Manager Hansi Flick may stick with Wojciech Szczesny in goal for a third consecutive game, while Gavi and Robert Lewandowski are expected to return to the starting lineup after being rested at the weekend.

Atalanta

Unlike their opponents, Atalanta still have work to do to secure a spot in the last 16, as they currently sit just one point above ninth place, with a record of four wins, two draws, and one loss in the league phase.

The Italian side began the group stage with a five-match unbeaten streak, including goalless draws against Celtic and Arsenal and a 3-0 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk. They followed up with consecutive European wins over Stuttgart and Young Boys.

Although Atalanta suffered a 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid on matchday six, they responded emphatically with a 5-0 triumph against Sturm Graz last week. Mateo Retegui, Mario Pasalic, Charles De Ketelaere, Ademola Lookman, and Marco Brescianini all found the net in that dominant display.

Thanks to their strong offensive form, Atalanta are now the third-highest scorers in the league phase with 18 goals and boast the fourth-best defensive record, having conceded just four times.

Saturday’s 2-1 Serie A win over Como, managed by former Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas, may serve as a confidence boost ahead of Wednesday’s challenging European clash. However, Atalanta remain winless in their last five Champions League games against Spanish teams (D1, L4).

Despite this, Atalanta have excelled on the road in Europe this season, winning all three of their away league-phase matches while scoring 11 goals and conceding just one.

Team News

Atalanta will be without defender Odilon Kossounou and forward Gianluca Scamacca, sidelined with adductor and knee injuries, respectively.

Midfielder Marten de Roon remains a doubt and will need to be assessed after being substituted at halftime against Como following a clash of heads with Maximo Perrone.

Isak Hien is expected to return to the starting lineup after missing the weekend match due to a one-game suspension for yellow card accumulation.

Forward Mateo Retegui will aim to extend his impressive form, having netted five goals in Atalanta’s last four competitive outings.

Conclusion

Atalanta undoubtedly have the attacking quality to trouble Barcelona in Wednesday’s Champions League encounter. However, considering the Catalan side has scored at least three goals in each of their last six European matches, they will likely be able to outscore the visitors and secure all three points, hoping for a good result in Eindhoven.

Verdict: Home win

Best odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: 888sport