UCL preview: Ajax vs Atalanta, key-stats, line-up, odds, prediction

Atalanta 4 - 2 Torino Papu Gomez leads Atalanta to a perfect start in Serie A

Ajax and Atalanta will clash in a must-win game to keep their round of 16 hopes alive.

Stadium: Amsterdam Arena

Key Statistics

  • Atalanta drew with Ajax 2-2 on the matchday 2 of the Champions League this season.
  • A draw will be enough for Atalanta to qualify for the round of 16 whereas Ajax should win the contest.

Ajax

Ajax will look to avoid an exit from the Champions League group stage for the second time in a row, having reached the semi-finals of the competition in 2018/19.

The Eredivisie champions are currently third in their respective group and hence a win is needed on the final matchday to qualify for the round of 16 alongside Liverpool.

However, Ajax are coming off two consecutive defeats, one against Liverpool in the Champions League last week and followed by a 1-2 defeat against FC Twente.

Furthermore, Ajax were held to a draw by Atalanta in the reverse fixture as the Dutch side’s first-half lead was cancelled out by Duvan Zapata’s equaliser.

Possible line up

Andre Onana; Klaiber, Schuurs, Daley Blind, Nicolas Tagliafico; Klaassen, Edson Alvarez, Gravenberch; Antony, Traore, Dusan Tadic.

Atalanta

Atalanta are now second in the group and a draw would be enough for them to qualify for the knockouts for the second consecutive season.

Although Gasperini’s men are not at their best this season, they managed to beat Liverpool 2-0 at Anfield weeks ago.

However, their recent form needs a lot to be desired, having dropped points in their last two games including the defeat against Hellas Verona in Serie A.

German wing-back Robin Gosens would be a huge miss for the Bergamo outfit as he alongside Alexsey Miranchuk have been tested positive for Coronavirus.

Possible line-up

Sportiello; Toloi, Cristian Romero, Djimsiti; Hans Hateboer, Marten De Roon, Remo Freuler, Mojica; Papu Gomez; Duvan Zapata, Luis Muriel

Odds

Ajax : Draw : Atalanta :: 2.10 : 4.00 : 3.00

Prediction

Atalanta 2 – 1 Ajax