Atalanta vs Athletic Bilbao
Atalanta are among the most in-form teams in the Champions League today, and they’re keen to extend their undefeated run in the league phase when they host Athletic Bilbao at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo on Wednesday evening.
Since their 4-0 defeat at the hands of PSG in the opening matchday, La Dea have recorded four wins and one draw in their next five. And lately in Serie A, Raffaele Palladino’s side improved to seventh place after notching three wins and one draw in their last four, although they wasted points in the last time out against Pisa (1-1).
On the other hand, Athletic Bilbao are 28th in the Champions League standings with only five points, and it feels inevitable they’ll exit the tournament after the league phase. Ernesto Valverde’s men have only one win in their last five across all competitions.
Talking Points
Lookman can help Atalanta in some capacity
Atalanta will receive a huge lineup boost, as Ademola Lookman is back in the mix after representing Nigeria in the recently concluded Africa Cup of Nations. The 28-year-old forward scored three goals for the Super Eagles in the continental tournament, so fans shouldn’t worry about his sharpness and fitness ahead of Wednesday evening, although Lookman might come off the bench.
La Dea coped well without Lookman, as they lost only one of their last six matches. During that stretch, Raffaele Palladino’s side plundered seven goals while only conceding twice. Nikola Krstovic accounted for three of them, while Isak Hien, Giorgio Scalvini, Mario Pasalic, and Charles De Ketelaere were also on the scoresheet.
De Ketelaere has found his form in the Champions League, specifically, having recorded goals and dimes in wins over Eintracht Frankfurt (3-0) and Chelsea (2-1), and the Belgian striker is surely on top of Athletic Bilbao’s scouting report on Wednesday.
He will likely have Gianluca Scamacca and Nicola Zalewski alongside him in the final third, with Kamaldeen Sulemana, Yunus Musah, and Lorenzo Bernasconi providing width in the 3-4-2-1 formation. However, Atalanta’s defence has taken a hit with the injuries to Berat Djimsiti (hip) and Raoul Bellanova (hamstring).
Athletic Bilbao must show more fight
Ernesto Valverde’s team faces an uphill challenge in Bergamo this week, as Athletic Bilbao are toothless to start the new calendar year. Save for their Copa del Rey win over Cultural Leonesa last week (4-3), their recent losses against Barcelona (5-0) and Mallorca (3-2) have been embarrassing to say the least.
Gorka Guruzeta was among those who were sent off against Mallorca, but his suspension doesn’t apply to Europe. The Spanish striker is the team’s leading scorer in Europe with three goals, but Guruzeta hasn’t scored in the Champions League since Matchday 3. Los Leones also needed more from Nico Williams, who finally ended his goal drought against Mallorca.
Injuries don’t help Athletic Bilbao, as they’ll be without Aymeric Laporte (thigh), Benat Prados (knee), Mikel Vesga (back), Maroan Sannadi (knee), and Nico Serrano (muscle) this Wednesday.
History
Wednesday marks the first meeting between Atalanta and Athletic Bilbao. Atalanta plan to snap their seven-match winless run against Spanish sides in Europe.
Meanwhile, Athletic Bilbao have won only one of their six matches in the Champions League thus far, failing to score in the last three. Los Leones have also conceded at least three goals in their last three matches. Currently on five points, their only chance to extend their European football run is finishing between 10th and 24th in the league phase.
Last season, Atalanta progressed past the league phase after finishing ninth in the Champions League standings, but were eventually eliminated by Club Brugge in the knockout phase play-offs with an aggregate tally of 5-2. Athletic Bilbao reached the Europa League semi-finals last season, losing to Manchester United with an aggregate tally of 7-1.
Betting Tip
The Champions League 2026 odds have Atalanta putting the final nail in the coffin on Athletic Bilbao’s league phase campaign on Wednesday. La Dea are 1.88 favourites to win, while Los Leones are 3.82 underdogs, and a draw is at 3.26 in the 1X2 market.
Atalanta will entertain their fans at the Gewiss Stadium by creating new Champions League 2026 highlights, especially with Athletic Bilbao’s rearguard leaking goals lately. Besides our recommended bet, SBOTOP bettors may also add Over 2.25 at 1.78, Over 2.50 at 2.04, Over 2.75 at 2.31, and Total Goals 2-3 at 1.97 to the parlay. However, any Correct Score in favour of Los Leones, starting from 1-0, will offer you a handsome payday of at least 11.00 your bet.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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