Atalanta VS Valencia Match Prediction

Atalanta and Valencia have clashed just once previously, with the two sides playing a friendly in August of 2017.  Atalanta won that day by a 2-1 score line.      

ATA vs VAL Betting Tips and Odds

Bet365 have the following odds available for this match:

Atalanta are at ¾, a draw is at 29/10, and Valencia are at 16/5.  

Atalanta have been the surprise package of the Champions League so far.  No one thought they would make it at all, but they did.  No one thought they had a chance to make it out of the group after a putrid start, but they have and they now have the chance to make the quarters in a wild turn of events having gotten a brilliant draw.  They are once again fighting for top four honors in Italy’s Serie A, so you should not underestimate them and their capabilities.  

Valencia come into this match embroiled in a tight race for the Champions League places in Spain.  They can’t take their foot too far off the gas there, as they are still right within the battle.  With that said, they have dropped points in three of their last five in the division, so they are not in the best of form.  This tie, though Atalanta are not an easy foe, will be seen as a big chance by them to get into the quarter finals for the first time since 2001.  

In all competitions this term, Atalanta have seven wins, three draws, and five losses to date at home.  It’s not the prettiest of records, no, but they have significantly picked themselves up of late following a slow start and are rolling as of now.  They have just one loss in their last seven in all comps after winning just twice in their opening eight at home.  Valencia’s away record in all comps so far includes six wins, a win on penalties, three draws, and seven losses.  Two of those wins came at Chelsea and Ajax to help them get to this stage of the competition, which makes them a real danger for Atalanta to face off with in this tussle.

Betfair have Ilicic scoring anytime at 2.8.  

Ladbrokes have both sides scoring for 2/3.  

Atalanta vs Valencia Prediction

This is a very tough one to call.  Both sides are capable, but they don’t always perform.  Atalanta have slightly more game breakers, and that might just be what they need to get them into the quarters when the two legs are finished.  

Correct Score Prediction: Atalanta 2-1 Valencia

Atalanta Team News

Gian Piero Gasperini looks set to just about have a full strength for this tie, with only young center back Bosko Sutalo remaining out with an ankle injury that he’s due to return from shortly.

Atalanta Key Man

One of the more underrated players in this underrated Atalanta side is Josip Ilicic.  The left-footed Slovenian magician is not always consistent, but he can score some absolutely cracking goals on his day.  He has 14 of those in Serie A thus far, a team high to this point.  The other man to watch is creative midfielder Alejandro Gomez.  The Argentine is superb at unlocking back lines, having picked out ten assists in Italy’s top flight already.  He’s also got six goals, so he also has an eye for goal, too.  

Atalanta Team Form

Atalanta have four wins and a draw in their last five matches:

2-1 home win vs Roma 
6-3 home win vs Radomiak Radom (Friendly)
1-2 win at Fiorentina
2-2 home draw vs Genoa
0-7 win at Torino

Atalanta Predicted Starting Line up

Expected Line up: 3-4-3

Valencia Team News

Albert Celades has been dealing with a number of injuries of late, with Francis Coquelin, Ezequiel Garay, Jasper Cillesen, Manu Vallejo, and Cristiano Piccini missing out Friday night.  Gabriel will miss out due to suspension.  At least Antonio Florenzi will be available for action here, though.

Valencia Key Man

Going forward, you have to see Goncalo Guedes as a major threat to Atalanta.  The Portuguese man is light on end product, sure, but he has bags and bags of pace and potential and can certainly be the one to push them to the very brink.  Maxi Gomez, their Uruguayan striker, is the other man that has to be watched.  He has struck nine times, leading the way for his side, in La Liga thus far, and he will be viewed as one of their main avenues moving forward.  

Valencia Team Form

Valencia have two draws, two losses, and a win in their last five matches:

2-2 home draw vs Atletico Madrid
3-0 loss at Getafe
2-1 loss at Granada (Copa del Rey)
1-0 home win vs Celta Vigo
0-0 draw, penalty win vs Cultural Leonesa (Copa del Rey)

Valencia Predicted Starting Line up

Expected Line up: 4-4-2

Within a stack of fixtures, this one may be the least tempting of all in the Round of 16. With that said, it looks dead even on paper, just about. Atalanta are slightly better off in Serie A than Valencia are in La Liga, but it's going to be very tough. You'd have to like Valencia's chances of going through here if they can get some type of result. With that said, the hosts are in much better all around form and should have enough to edge it.

Atalanta have only one three consecutive UEFA matches once before, with those coming in succession in last season's edition of the Europa League.