Villarreal vs Atalanta Prediction & Betting Tips - Champions League

Prediction published on 12/09/2021, 09:11  by James | Modified on 12/09/2021 at 10:11 in Champions League Predictions

Two competition outsiders meet in the Champions League on Tuesday night when Villarreal welcome Atalanta to the Estadio de la Ceramica. It will be the first competitive meeting between two teams that haven't gotten off to the best starts to this season. Villarreal have reached the UCL semi-finals before and won the Europa League last season, beating group rivals Manchester United in the final. This will be Villarreal's first UCL group stage appearance in a decade. Atalanta, meanwhile, are making their third successive appearance in the group stage of the tournament. The Italian side have impressed in their previous efforts in the competition, reaching the quarter-finals in 2020. Both clubs will be looking to the UCL as a refuge for tough league predicaments. Atalanta have failed to win two of their opening three matches in Serie A, while Villarreal drew all three of their games in La Liga. 

Although bookmakers believe Manchester United are dead certs to make it out of this group, recent seasons show that the two clubs in this contest have the quality and belief to go far. Villarreal need to overcome a lengthy losing streak of eight games in this competition, and they will be confident of registering points against Atalanta. The Italian outfit lost their last match in Spain (3-1 to Real Madrid) but won the previous fixture there (4-3 at Valencia). Half of Atalanta's eight UCL games last season featured four goals or more, so we have faith in them finding the net. Five of Villarreal's six home Europa League games last season featured at least three goals. We suggest backing over 2.5 goals.