Atalanta vs Celtic Predictions

Atalanta vs Celtic predictions for this Champions League fixture. Celtic, looking to recover from a heavy defeat in Dortmund, will aim to revive their Champions League campaign against Atalanta BC in Wednesday’s crucial group stage clash. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.

Champions League | League Stage | Oct 23, 2024 at 5.45pm UK at Gewiss Stadium

Atalanta vs Celtic Predictions

Could Celtic’s Champions League Hopes Survive a Trip to Atalanta?

• Celtic’s Away Day Blues: Celtic have lost their last six Champions League away games by an aggregate score of 25-3, highlighting their defensive vulnerabilities on the road.
• Atalanta’s Second-Half Surge: Atalanta have led at half-time before winning each of their last three games, showing that they tend to grow stronger as matches progress.
• Retegui on Fire: Atalanta forward Mateo Retegui has scored eight goals in as many Serie A games, making him one of the most dangerous attackers Celtic will face this season.

Our Tips

With Celtic reeling from their recent hammering at the hands of Borussia Dortmund and Atalanta riding the momentum of successive wins, this match promises to be an enthralling Champions League clash. Both sides find themselves at crucial junctures of their respective campaigns. Atalanta, fresh from their Europa League success and impressive domestic run, are looking to extend their European dominance, while Celtic are desperately hoping to avoid another damaging loss. The stakes are high, emotions are running even higher, and fans on both sides are bracing themselves for what could be a defining night in their club’s European journey. Will Celtic find a way to shore up their leaky defence, or will Atalanta exploit their frailties? With such contrasting form, it’s difficult to predict, but one thing is certain: neither side will be taking this game lightly.

Best Bet: Draw at Half-Time

A safe and calculated prediction for this contest is a draw at half-time. Although Atalanta’s form has been excellent, and they’ve been clinical in recent matches, Celtic’s defensive strategy will likely see them start cautiously, aiming to keep things tight in the early stages. Celtic will want to avoid a repeat of their 7-1 drubbing by Dortmund, so a compact, organised first half could well be on the cards.

Atalanta have a track record of starting strong but not necessarily blowing opponents away from the first whistle. They controlled the game against Shakhtar Donetsk in their last Champions League outing, but it wasn’t until the second half that they really asserted their dominance. Similarly, Celtic, despite their recent defensive issues, are not likely to come out all guns blazing in a hostile away environment like Bergamo. Brendan Rodgers is no stranger to defensive setbacks, but he will know that to survive in Europe, his team needs to weather the early storm.

Both teams are likely to be feeling each other out in the opening 45 minutes, and the stats back this up. Celtic have only conceded 0.4 goals per game domestically this season, a sign that their defensive struggles may not be as profound as they seem when playing in their league. Furthermore, Atalanta, while a formidable side, have conceded an average of 1.6 goals per game, suggesting they are not infallible at the back either.

“A cagey first half seems inevitable,” says BettingTips4You.com expert Luca Semproni. “Celtic will be cautious after the Dortmund disaster, and while Atalanta are in fine form, they may take some time to break down their Scottish counterparts.” Both teams know they cannot afford early mistakes in a competition like this, and that tactical awareness will likely lead to a slower-paced first half, with Atalanta probing for weaknesses rather than committing too many forward too soon.

Atalanta’s recent domestic performances also suggest they’ve become accustomed to dominating the second half. In their last three games, they’ve gone into half-time without being too aggressive, before running rampant in the later stages. Given that Celtic’s confidence is fragile following their recent European disasters, a cautious start from both sides seems the most probable outcome.

Correct Score Prediction: Atalanta 2-0 Celtic

Following from the best bet of a draw at half-time, a reasonable scoreline prediction is 2-0 to Atalanta by the final whistle. While Celtic may well keep things tight early on, their inability to hold off stronger European opposition has been exposed time and time again. The last few seasons have seen Celtic’s defence come unstuck, particularly on the road in Europe, and Atalanta will fancy their chances of breaking through in the second half.

Atalanta’s attack, spearheaded by the lethal Mateo Retegui, who already has eight goals in Serie A, will eventually wear down Celtic’s backline. Ademola Lookman, with his explosive pace and European form, is another threat likely to exploit any gaps in Celtic’s defensive setup. The absence of key figures like Cameron Carter-Vickers is a major concern for Celtic, leaving them vulnerable to Atalanta’s fluid attacking play.

Atalanta’s strong home form and the fact that Celtic have conceded an average of four goals per game in their last nine away Champions League ties make it difficult to see the Scottish champions keeping a clean sheet. The Italians’ ability to create big chances – they average 3.9 per game – combined with Celtic’s shakiness when defending set-pieces or fast breaks, points towards a scoreline where Atalanta ease past them in the second half.

Given the gaps in Celtic’s defence, a 2-0 victory for Atalanta seems plausible. “Celtic might hold out for a while,” Semproni notes, “but once the pressure mounts, Atalanta will find a way through. A two-goal margin seems about right for the kind of contest this is shaping up to be.”

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