FC Midtjylland vs Atalanta Prediction & Betting Tips - Champions League

Prediction published on 18/10/2020, 10:37  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 18/10/2020 at 11:38 in Champions League Predictions

Midtjylland make their debut in the group stages of the Champions League and have had a nightmare draw. They begin with a home game against last season's quarter-finalists Atalanta, and also have to take on Liverpool and Ajax. The Danish side have had to win three games to reach this stage. The second qualifying round saw them win 1-0 at Ludogorets Razgrad with a goal 13 minutes from time. Three second half goals saw them defeat Young Boys at home. The play-off round saw them take on Sparta Prague for a place in the group stages. They drew the away leg 0-0 but then went a goal down at home after just three minutes. Again, they were powerful in the second half but going into the 84th minute it was still level at 1-1 and an away goals loss looked likely. Then they scored three goals in seven minutes to make it into the Champions League group stages for the first time. The weekend saw them come from a goal down to get a 3-1 home win over OB, the final two goals coming in the last nine minutes. They are fifth in the Danish Superliga, two points behind leaders Brondby. Their home record is strong with five consecutive wins (two in this competition) in the lead up to this match. Goals can be expected in this match and the last three the Danes have played have all had over 2.5 goals scored in them.

Atalanta made their debut in the Champions League last season. At one stage it looked like being a disaster after losing their first three games and conceding 11 goals. The second half of the group saw them earn seven points and they made it to the knock-out stages. An 8-4 aggregate win over Valencia followed and they so nearly made it to the semi-finals. Going into the 90th minute of their quarter final against PSG they led 1-0 before conceding two late goals. Atalanta finished third in Serie A last season, five points behind Juventus. The new Serie A season got off to a great start for Atalanta with three straight wins taking them to the top of the table. They came Saturday’s away game at Napoli. They were 4-0 down at half-time, eventually losing 4-1. Atalanta won two away games in the Champions League last season, scoring seven goals. Their matches are usually high-scoring affairs with seven out of nine Champions League matches played having over 2.5 goals scored in them. This season has seen that trend continue with their four Serie A league games seeing 23 goals scored. A bet on over 2.5 goals looks a winner here.