Shakhtar Donetsk vs Atalanta Prediction & Betting Tips - Champions League

Prediction published on 09/12/2019, 15:58  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 09/12/2019 at 16:59 in Champions League Predictions

Shakhtar Donetsk are in second place in Champions League Group C and a win over Atalanta will see them safely through to the last sixteen. They have six points from their five games played so far and have had to work hard to get those. Their last game saw them get a draw at group leaders Manchester CIty and that could prove a valuable point. They are a side that never gives up and two group games have proved that. Away at Atalanta, they trailed 1-0 but won 2-1 thanks to a 95th minute goal. That was followed by more late heroics at Dinamo Zagreb. Shakhtar were 3-1 down but goals in the 93rd and 98th minute got them a point. A win here will be good enough, a draw would only see them through if Zagreb beat Manchester City. The worst case scenario is a loss and a win for Zagreb which would see them finish bottom of the group. Shakhtar have only lost one of their last 15 games and have only lost two of their last ten home games in this competiton.

Atalanta are in their first Champions League season and it might not end after this game. They made a poor start to the group losing their first three games and conceding 11 goals. Then they got going with a home draw against Manchester City and a win against Dinamo Zagreb. A win here would see them reach the knock-out stages if Zagreb fail to beat Manchester City. If Zagreb did shock City, then an Atalanta win would only take them into the Europa League. The Italians have won their last three games and are sixth in Serie A. Away form is a problem though with only one win in the last five. That came at the weekend when beating Brescia who are bottom of the table. Shakhtar are strong at home and can get the win here.