Atalanta face an in-form host
Tension is guaranteed in Group F of this year’s UEFA Champions League. A preliminary decision has not yet been made and any group place is still possible for all four teams. In Switzerland, Young Boys and Atalanta Bergamo will face each other on Tuesday evening on the artificial turf at the Stade Wankdorf.
Still in this group are last season’s Europa League finalists Villarreal and Manchester United, who top the table with seven points each. YBB and Atalanta are currently in the role of the hunter and the pressure is accordingly high for both teams. Despite the home advantage (especially the artificial turf must be mentioned), betting odds of just under 4.00 are offered for the home win in the duel Young Boys vs Atalanta Bergamo.
The Italian visitors are a team that practice a very well-kept style. The artificial turf will be unfamiliar, but the artificial surface will certainly suit the Gasperini eleven’s style of play.
Young Boys – Statistics & current form
The Swiss champions caused the biggest surprise on the first matchday of the current Champions League season. Head coach David Wagner’s team beat Manchester United 2-1 at home thanks to a last-minute goal.
However, it was to be the only points in the group stage so far, as the Bernese recently conceded three defeats in a row. Another defeat would be a negative record, with Young Boys having never lost four international matches in a row before.
League match postponed
With three defeats in a row, international survival has become a distant memory. Basically, the home match against the Lombards is already a kind of final for the Swiss.
After Switzerland often disappointed internationally in the last few years, the Swiss Super League is generous this season when it comes to requesting postponements in the league. This weekend’s top Super League match between YBB and FC Basel was postponed until mid-December. This was to guarantee the two international starters the best possible preparation. The question is, however, whether this postponement actually represents an advantage, because the last competitive match for the Swiss was already more than a fortnight ago. Their form has been far from satisfactory in recent weeks, with YBB winning only one of their last four league games.
Great injury worries
In addition to the lack of match practice, there is another aspect that cannot be ignored – Young Boys’ injury woes. David Wagner is by no means to be envied these days, as he has to do without several regulars. Goalkeeper David von Ballmoos, his two best centre-backs Mohamed Camara and Cedric Zesiger, top scorer Christian Fassnacht and the top scorer of the last two years Jean-Pierre Nsame are all injured.
The conditions before the last CL home match of the year are anything but positive for the Swiss. Only the artificial turf can be seen as an advantage, but nevertheless a successful bet on at least a point win for the home side (double chance 1X) would already be a big surprise for Young Boys against Atalanta Bergamo.
Predicted line-up of Young Boys:
Faivre – Lefort, Bürgy, Lauper, Maceiras – Rieder, Sierro, Aebischer, Ngamaleu – Elia, Siebatcheu
Last matches played by Young Boys:
Super League
11/06 2021 – Grasshopper Club 1 – 1 BSC Young Boys
Champions League Grp. F
11/02 2021 – FC Villarreal 2 – 0 BSC Young Boys
Super League
10/30 2021 – FC St. Gallen 3 – 1 BSC Young Boys
Cup
10/27 2021 – FC Lugano 2 – 1 BSC Young Boys
Super League
10/23 2021 – BSC Young Boys 3 – 2 FC Lausanne-Sport
Atalanta Bergamo – Statistics & current form
The Gasperini eleven made history on their debut last season, becoming the first team ever to reach the last 16 despite three opening defeats in the group stage.
This season, Gasperini’s side have not had a cold start, but they are still behind at the moment. The reason for this is Cristiano Ronaldo, because in both games against the Red Devils Atalanta had to concede a goal from the Portuguese in the closing stages (goal conceded to lose 3-2, equaliser to draw 2-2).
Goals are guaranteed at the Lombards
98 goals in the 2019/20 season, 90 goals in the 2020/21 season and Atalanta Bergamo have already scored 27 goals this season as well. In an extremely attacking 3-4-2-1 system, the Italian club practices a style that is extremely worth watching. The two track players basically earn the designation “wingers”.
The offensive power football is also practised in the top flight, as Atalanta Bergamo failed to score in only three of their 21 Champions League matches. With the exception of the first leg against Young Boys, the bet on an over 3.5 was successful in each of the three remaining CL matches. At the Stade Wankdorf, Young Boys vs Atalanta Bergamo also offers this tip.
Strong away record
The visitors’ favouritism is also due to their very strong away performances this season. In the domestic championship, the Lombards were able to collect 16 out of a possible 18 points in six games. Atalanta only had to settle for a draw with champions Inter Milan. Internationally, they have failed to win their last three away games, but Young Boys do not have the quality that Manchester United or Villarreal basically display.
Predicted line-up of Atalanta Bergamo:
Musso – Toloi, Palomino, Djimsiti – Maehle, de Roon, Malinovsky, Zappacosta – Pasalic, Ilicic – Zapata
Last matches played by Atalanta Bergamo:
Serie A
11/20 2021 – Atalanta Bergamo 5 – 2 Spezia
11/06 2021 – Cagliari 1 – 2 Atalanta Bergamo
Champions League Grp. F
11/02 2021 – Atalanta Bergamo 2 – 2 Manchester United
Serie A
10/30 2021 – Atalanta Bergamo 2 – 2 Lazio Roma
10/27 2021 – Sampdoria Genoa 1 – 3 Atalanta Bergamo
Young Boys – Atalanta Bergamo Direct comparison / H2H record
The first leg was the first meeting between the two clubs. In Lombardy, Atalanta Bergamo narrowly won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Matteo Pessina. The result was close, but on the green pitch Gasperini’s side were the dominant team and did not concede anything. Young Boys managed just three shots in 90 minutes of play. For YBB it was their fifth defeat in their ninth match against a Serie A team, while for Atalanta the first leg against Young Boys was their first ever match against a Swiss side.
Young Boys – Atalanta Bergamo Tip
For both teams to keep their chances of reaching the last 16 intact, only a full success counts in this match. The starting situation is accordingly clear, but the conditions for this are fundamentally different. The hosts are struggling with injury problems and have only won one of their last four league games. Atalanta, on the other hand, is once again going from success to success. The obvious prediction for Young Boys against Atalanta Bergamo is therefore fair odds on the away win.
Because of the lack of match practice at YBB (first match since 6 November), the injury worries and the offensive power of the Lombards, however, not only a bet on the away win is recommended, but for Young Boys against Atalanta Bergamo, the forecast on the handicap win is also a very good option. The bookmakers offer very lucrative betting odds of up to 3.40. Five units are recommended for this bet.
