Will YB top Group F?
Without a doubt, it’s a table picture that people in Bern love to watch at the moment. In Group F of the UEFA Champions League, Young Boys sensationally lead the standings after one matchday ahead of Atalanta Bergamo and Villarreal. The real top favourites Manchester United, on the other hand, are in last place, having surprisingly lost their opening match in Switzerland 2-1.
The team of former Schalke coach David Wagner are now desperate to confirm the positive impression of a fortnight ago and also take something countable in their first away match. If we look at the odds between Atalanta Bergamo and Young Boys, however, the chances for the Swiss champions are not particularly good The Lombards are considered clear favourites, which is partly due to their rise in form in recent weeks
The Black and Blues are now unbeaten in four competitive games and seem to be getting better and better into their stride. Just last weekend, Gasperini’s side fought their way to a respectable draw at Inter Milan.
But the visitors from the capital don’t need to hide either, after all, the yellow-and-blacks have even managed four wins in a row recently, although, with the exception of ManUtd, the opposition was of course less complicated than that of the upcoming opponents. Despite the good results, it is absolutely understandable that between Atalanta Bergamo and Young Boys, the general prediction goes rather in the direction of the Italians, who are more experienced in this competition.
Italy Atalanta Bergamo – Statistics & current form
Atalanta Bergamo have become an absolute top team in Italy in recent years. In each of the last three seasons, the Lombards finished third and thus always qualified for the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.
The fact that “La Dea” is now also on everyone’s lips on the European stage is, of course, primarily due to the fact that the blue and black 2019/20 and also 2020/21 made it to the knockout round The Italians only lost out to Paris St. Germain (quarter-finals) and Real Madrid (last 16).
These recent successes alone, combined with the experience gained at the highest international level, are indications that favour a tip on the home side on Wednesday evening ahead of Atalanta Bergamo’s match against Young Boys.
Atalanta with much improved performances of late
In addition, there are one or two statistics that also point the pointer relatively clearly in the direction of coach Gasperini’s team. For example, Atalanta have lost only one of their last ten CL group matches (five wins, four draws). Moreover, the Bergamasques have already scored 30 goals in this competition despite their late debut. Interestingly, none of these goals were scored by an Italian.
Finally, with regard to the Atalanta Bergamo vs. Young Boys prediction, it is important to bear in mind that the form curve of the “Gli Orobici” is clearly pointing upwards After a somewhat complicated start to the season, Gasperini’s eleven recently remained unbeaten four times in a row, earning a 2-2 draw at Inter Milan and on the first day of the CL at Villarreal, and also celebrating narrow victories against promoted Salernitana and against Sassuolo.
However, the performance against the reigning Italian champions in particular provided sufficient arguments to place a bet on a home win on Wednesday evening. With the exception of Hateboer and Muriel, all the players are likely to be available for the landmark first home game of this group stage
Predicted line-up of Atalanta Bergamo:
Musso – Demiral, Djimsiti, Toloí – Gosens, Freuler, Pasalic, Zappacosta – Ilicic, Malinovskyi – Zapata
Last matches played by Atalanta Bergamo:
Switzerland Young Boys – Statistics & current form
Still the Young Boys are completely euphoric. No-one would have bet a penny on the yellow-and-blacks winning their opening game against CR7 and Manchester United. Thanks to a relatively early red card against the visitors from the island, the Swiss champions turned the match around and eventually celebrated a 2-1 victory. Ahead of Atalanta Bergamo’s match against Young Boys, the odds on a sensational progress of the underdogs have thus dropped.
Nevertheless, the team of coach David Wagner naturally remains crass underdogs in Group F, especially since the Bernese must first prove away from home that they can compete at the highest international level. In addition, it should not be forgotten that the start of the season in the Super League did not go according to plan either.
The YB offensive has “clicked “
After only five points from the first four games, however, the curve has also been clearly pointing upwards nationally of late. They have won all three of their most recent league matches, scoring a whopping twelve goals in the process. Five successes in a row have been recorded across all competitions. So there should be no lack of self-confidence.
In addition, 21 goals scored in the last five competitive matches is another reason why betting odds on at least four goals in the course of the match could pay off between Atalanta Bergamo and Young Boys.
At the same time, YB could become the first Swiss team since FC Basel in 2011/12 to win three Champions League games in a row. Including qualification, it could even be the fifth international treble in a row. But the task in Lombardy will still be difficult. Probably even too difficult…
Predicted line-up of Young Boys:
von Ballmoos – Garcia, Lauper, Camara, Hefti – Pereira, Sierro – Ngamaleu, Aebischer, Spielmann – Elia
Last matches played by Young Boys:
Atalanta Bergamo – Young Boys Direct comparison / H2H record
For the very first time, the two teams will face each other in a competitive international match. For the Bergamo side, it is the first ever match against a representative from the Swiss Super League. The Bernese, meanwhile, will be playing against an Italian club for the ninth time. So far, their record is absolutely balanced, with four wins and four defeats each.
Italy Atalanta Bergamo – Young Boys Switzerland Tip
At first glance, not the biggest names face each other on Wednesday evening at the earlier kick-off time of 18:45. Atalanta Bergamo welcome Young Boys, while Zenit St. Petersburg meet Malmö at the same time. At least in the first of these two matches, however, spectacle seems pre-programmed. After all, two attack-minded teams are facing each other in a direct duel.
The Swiss have scored a whopping 21 times in their previous five competitive matches and have been in a real ball-playing mood. They also fired a whopping 19 shots towards the opposition’s goal in their 2-1 opening win over Manutd. On the other hand, “La Dea” has always been notorious for its offensive drive. Recently, they scored two goals against the strong defences of Inter Milan and Villarreal. Consequently, betting on over-goals (2.5 or 3.5) on Wednesday is not a bad idea in our eyes.
But between Atalanta Bergamo and Young Boys, our focus is on the tip ‘home win’ The Gasperini eleven has been in very strong form lately, making a good impression especially in the aforementioned 2:2 against Inter Milan and also losing only one of their last ten Champions League group matches (five wins, four draws). In the end, we therefore believe that the higher quality as well as the plus in experience will prevail.
