The Matchday 8 clash in the 2024/25 Champions League group stage between Barcelona (Spain) and Atalanta (Italy) will take place on January 29 at the Luis Companys Olympic Stadium. Barcelona vs. Atalanta: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Barcelona
In the previous round, Hans Flick's side triumphed over Benfica away (5-4). Barcelona trailed by two goals during the match but managed to secure the victory in the final minutes. As a result, the team achieved their sixth consecutive win in the Champions League, scoring at least three goals in each encounter. With 26 goals, the club leads this stage by a significant margin. With 18 points, Barcelona is second in the standings and has already secured a direct spot in the Round of 16.
Goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, defenders Andreas Christensen and Iñigo Martínez, as well as midfielders Dani Olmo and Marc Bernal, will miss the game due to injuries.
- The team has won in regular time in 7 of their last 8 home matches in the Champions League.
- Both teams have scored in 5 of Barcelona's last 7 home games in this European competition.
- Barcelona players have scored at least two goals in regular time in 7 of their last 8 home matches in the Champions League.
Atalanta
Gian Piero Gasperini's side thrashed Sturm 5-0 at home in the last round. As a result, Atalanta secured their fourth win in this stage, winning by a five-goal margin for the second time in three matches. In the standings, the club is seventh with 14 points and has already guaranteed a place in the playoffs. A win would secure a direct ticket to the Round of 16. Noteworthy is the Italians' high scoring ability: with 18 goals in this stage, they are only behind two teams.
Defender Odilon Kossounou and forwards Ademola Lookman and Gianluca Scamacca will miss the game due to injuries.
- The club has not lost in regular time in 10 of their last 12 away matches in the Champions League (8 wins, 2 draws).
- Both teams have scored in 5 of Atalanta's last 7 away games in this European competition.
- The Italians have scored at least twice in regular time in their last six away matches in the Champions League.
Predicted lineups for Barcelona vs. Atalanta
Barcelona (4-2-3-1): Wojciech Szczęsny – Pau Cubarsi, Jules Koundé, Ronald Araújo, Alejandro Balde – Marc Casado, Pedri – Lamine Yamal, Gavi, Raphinha Dias – Robert Lewandowski.
Atalanta (3-4-2-1): Marco Carnesecchi – Isak Hien, Berat Djimsiti, Sead Kolasinac – Raoul Bellanova, Marten de Roon, Éderson Lourenço, Matteo Ruggeri – Mario Pašalić, Marco Brescianini – Mateo Retegui.
Referee: Michael Oliver (England)
Matches – 9 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 35;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.9;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 21;
Penalties – 44%.
Barcelona vs. Atalanta: Match Prediction
This clash features teams that heavily favor attacking play and often produce high-scoring encounters. Barcelona regularly scores in large numbers at home: in each of their last eight home Champions League matches, the team has found the net, scoring at least three times in five of those games. Meanwhile, they have conceded in 8 of their last 11 home fixtures in this European competition.
Atalanta rarely struggles to score even on the road: in their last 13 away Champions League matches, the Bergamo side has scored. Notably, in their last six away games in this tournament, Gian Piero Gasperini's team has scored at least two goals. However, they cannot boast a reliable defense: in their last seven away Champions League matches, the Italians have kept a clean sheet only twice, conceding 12 goals in that period.
I expect a high-scoring game from both sides in such a match. My prediction: Total over 2.5 goals and Both Teams to Score – Yes
