The Matchday 5 fixture of the 2024/25 Champions League group stage between Young Boys (Switzerland) and Atalanta (Italy) will be held on November 26 at the Wankdorf Stadium in Bern. Young Boys vs. Atalanta: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Referee: Manfredas Lukjančukas (Lithuania)
Matches – 14 (International matches, 2023/24–2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 61;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.4;
Red cards shown – 5;
Average fouls per match – 22;
Penalties – 36%.
Predicted lineups for Young Boys vs. Atalanta
Young Boys (4-4-2): David von Ballmoos – Lewin Blum, Ali Camara, Loris Benito, Jauan Hadjam – Joël Monteiro, Sandro Lauper, Cheikh Niasse, Alan Virginius – Silvère Ganvoula M'Boussy, Filip Ugrinic.
Atalanta (3-4-3): Marco Carnesecchi – Odilon Kossounou, Isak Hien, Rafael Toloi – Raoul Bellanova, Mario Pašalić, Marco Brescianini, Marten de Roon – Ademola Lookman, Charles De Ketelaere, Mateo Retegui.
Young Boys
In the last round, Joël Magnin's side suffered a 1-2 defeat to Shakhtar. As a result, Young Boys have lost their last four Champions League matches, though they did manage to score for the first time in this stretch. The Swiss side has not earned any points in the group stage and is above only Crvena Zvezda and Slovan in the standings due to a better goal difference.
Defenders Patrick Pfeiffer, Tanguy Zaku, Saidy Janko, and Mohamed Camara, as well as midfielder Miguel Changa Chaywa, will miss the game due to injuries.
- The club has lost in regular time in 4 of their last 6 home matches in the Champions League.
- The team has conceded in the second half in 7 of their last 9 home games in this European competition.
- The number "3" has appeared in the scoreline at the end of 90 minutes in 6 of Young Boys' last 8 home matches in the Champions League.
Atalanta
Gian Piero Gasperini's side defeated Stuttgart 2-0 away in the last round. As a result, the team secured only their second win in the last eight Champions League matches, but they remain unbeaten in this tournament's current edition (2 wins, 2 draws). Atalanta has eight points and is ninth in the standings. Notably, the Italians are one of only two clubs yet to concede in the group stage and one of four teams to have collected maximum points in away matches.
Defenders Berat Djimsiti, Sead Kolašinac, and Davide Zappacosta, as well as forward Gianluca Scamacca, will miss the game due to injuries. Midfielder Éderson Lourenço is suspended.
- The team has not lost in regular time in 9 of their last 11 away matches in the Champions League (7 wins, 2 draws).
- The club scored exactly two or three times in 90 minutes in five of their last five away games in this European competition.
- The Italians have scored first in regular time in their last five away matches in the Champions League.
Young Boys vs. Atalanta: Match Prediction
The high level of competition in the Champions League has hindered the Swiss side's ability to achieve significant success. Their defense, in particular, has struggled, even at home, where Young Boys rarely cope with opponents' attacks. Over the last 20 home matches in the Champions League, the club has kept a clean sheet only twice, and on ten occasions during this period, they have conceded at least two goals by the end of regular time. In this tournament's current edition, including qualifiers, Young Boys have conceded six goals in three home games.
Atalanta, meanwhile, prefers an aggressive attacking style. Their scoring ability is impressive, even in away matches: in their last 12 away encounters in the Champions League, the Italians have breached the opposition's defense by the end of 90 minutes. Moreover, in nine of these matches, the Bergamo side has scored at least two goals in regular time.
Notably, during the 2020/21 season, the teams met in the Champions League group stage, and Gian Piero Gasperini's side scored three goals at Young Boys' ground. I believe the Italians will perform well in attack again this time, so my prediction: Atalanta individual total over 2
