Champions League: Atalanta, Villarreal Battle for Last-16 Spot in Bergamo

Atalanta vs Villarreal

Atalanta and Villarreal still have everything to play for in their final Champions League group game as they must battle it out for second spot in Group F – and a place in the round of 16.

Villarreal currently hold a slight one-point advantage over Atalanta, so a draw in their group-stage finale is all they need to go through to the knockout round.

However, the Champions League 2021 betting odds still favour Atalanta, who have been in outstanding form of late and will have home advantage as they look to get the win they need to make the round of 16 for the third season in a row.

Talking Points

Atalanta’s fantastic attack is back

Don’t look now, but Atalanta are suddenly getting back to their best. Since suffering that stunning 3-2 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford in late October, they have gone 10 games unbeaten in all competitions.

Moreover, they have won five of their last six games while scoring three or more goals in four of those games.

Atalanta have had a couple of disappointing Champions League 2021 results that have prevented them from qualifying to the knockout round for the third straight year much sooner. They gave up a late equaliser in a 2-2 draw at home to United and needed a late equaliser themselves to draw 3-3 with Young Boys last time out.

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But they have bounced back from that disappointment by beating Juventus 1-0 in Turin, thrashing Venezia 4-0, then stunning Serie A leaders Napoli 3-2 away from home.

Duvan Zapata has been in phenomenal form once again for La Dea this season. The Colombian striker has 11 goals and seven assists on the year, with seven goals and three assists coming in his last eight appearances.

Meanwhile, compatriot Luis Muriel is finally getting back to his best after a slow start. He has two goals and three assists in his last four outings. The likes of Josip Ilicic, Mario Pasalic, and Ruslan Malinovskiy have also provided an additional attacking spark at various times.

Atalanta are still without star left wing-back Robin Gosens, who suffered another injury setback that will likely keep him sidelined until 2022. But right wing-back Hans Hateboer is finally back to full fitness after a lengthy injury layoff and could give Davide Zappacosta a rest.

Yellow Submarine still sinking

Struggling Villarreal are still in need of a big victory. They lost away to Sevilla last time out, their fifth defeat in their last eight La Liga matches.

The pressure continues to mount on coach Unai Emery amid their poor run of results. While he led the team to the Europa League title and eventually chose to stay over taking the Newcastle United job, he must find a way to turn the team’s fortunes around.

Villarreal are in need of a victory to reach the knockout stage of the Champions League — Villarreal manager Unai Emery reacts during their Champions League match against Manchester United

The good news for Emery is that top striker Gerard Moreno is back fit after over a month out with a hamstring problem. The Spanish international should help boost a Villarreal attack that has struggled to score goals consistently this season.

However, teenage winger Yeremy Pino will be suspended for this match, so Sameul Chukwueze could get his first start of the season on the right wing.

Arnaut Danjuma is the team’s leading scorer with five goals, including two in the Champions League. His last goal came in last month’s 2-0 home win over Young Boys.

Villarreal have struggled mightily away from home this season. Their 4-1 thumping of Young Boys and 8-0 demolition of minnows Victoria CF in the Copa del Rey are their only away wins to date.

History

This will be just the second meeting between the two sides, with the first coming back in September.

That inaugural matchup at the Estadio de la Ceramica ended in an entertaining 2-2 draw. Villarreal came back to take a 2-1 lead after conceding an early goal, but Robin Gosens popped up with an equaliser for Atalanta seven minutes from time.

Betting Tip

	Atalanta vs Villarreal	1X2 Atalanta @ 1.79
	December 09, 04:00 (GMT+8)

SBOTOP odds have Atalanta installed as significant 1.84 favourites to get the win they need to reach the round of 16. Villarreal are priced at 4.00, while a draw is at 3.60.

Based on their current form, it’s hard to go against Atalanta at home. They are back to scoring goals for fun and their confidence will be sky-high after beating Napoli.

And on the other side, Villarreal don’t have much in the way of confidence, and the return of Gerard Moreno may not be enough to boost morale.

Atalanta’s prolific attack should prove to be too much for the slumping Yellow Submarine and they should book their ticket to the last 16 with a home win in Bergamo.