Atalanta vs. Real Madrid Preview and Free Picks

The Champions League returns, and one of the best matches will take place in Italy, where Atalanta will host Real Madrid on matchday six.

La Dea is one of the tournament’s few unbeaten teams and recently crushed Young Boys 1-6 away.

Meanwhile, La Casa Blanca has been one of the championship’s disappointments and must win to avoid being eliminated from the group stage.

Atalanta vs. Real Madrid betting odds and info

Why bet on Atalanta?

Atalanta is having an excellent season. In the Champions League, they remain unbeaten and sit in fifth place after three wins against Shakhtar (0-3), Stuttgart (0-2), and Young Boys (1-6), along with two goalless draws versus Arsenal and Celtic. Interestingly, they’ve won all three away games while drawing the two at home.

They’ve only conceded one goal in the tournament, which came in their last match, making them one of the best defenses. Inter is the only team yet to concede a goal. Speaking of other Italian teams, Atalanta leads Serie A with 34 points, two ahead of Napoli. They have scored 38 goals, the most by any club, and boast the league’s top scorer, Mateo Retegui, with 12.

This past weekend, they defeated Milan 2-1, extending their streak to nine consecutive wins and 14 matches unbeaten across all competitions.

For this match, they will be without Davide Zappacosta, Gianluca Scamacca, and Juan Guillermo Cuadrado due to injuries.

Why bet on Real Madrid?

This Real Madrid team was expected to dominate, but they are far from meeting those expectations, and the Champions League has exposed their struggles. They currently sit 24th in the tournament, holding onto the last playoff spot. With just six points from two wins and three losses, their performance has been underwhelming.

Carlo Ancelotti’s squad secured home victories against Stuttgart (3-1) and Dortmund (5-2) but suffered defeats at the Santiago Bernabéu to Milan (1-3) and on the road to Lille (1-0) and Liverpool (2-0). Four teams are sitting at four points, including PSG, meaning that failing to win could knock Real Madrid out of contention and result in a disastrous outcome.

Domestically, while they sit second in La Liga and could take the top spot with a game in hand, their performances have been unconvincing. In key matches, they faltered. Barcelona crushed them 0-4 at the Bernabéu, and Athletic Bilbao defeated them 2-1 in San Mamés.

Much more is expected from Kylian Mbappé, who, despite his nine league goals and one in the Champions League, has underperformed compared to his time at PSG and with the French national team. The same applies to Jude Bellingham, whose second season has not lived up to the brilliance of his first. Both players scored over the weekend in a 0-3 win against Girona, and fans hope they can maintain that form.

Ancelotti has faced persistent injury problems, which have been a major obstacle. Key players such as Vinícius, Rodrygo, Dani Carvajal, Eduardo Camavinga, Éder Militao, and David Alaba—all starters—are currently sidelined, forcing the coach to experiment with lineups in several matches.

Final Betting Analysis: Atalanta vs. Real Madrid

The last time these teams faced each other was earlier this season, on August 14, in the UEFA Super Cup, where Real Madrid triumphed 2-0 with goals from Federico Valverde and Mbappé. Prior to that, they met in the Round of 16 of the 2020/21 edition, with the Spanish side winning 0-1 away and 3-1 at home.

The odds at Gambyl Exchange favor Real Madrid, with their Moneyline at 2.51. Atalanta follows closely at 2.81, while a draw is priced at 3.77.

It promises to be a thrilling match, with Real Madrid under immense pressure to win and avoid what could be a significant blemish on their storied history. Meanwhile, Atalanta is in a perfect position to deliver a major upset, and we believe they will capitalize on their momentum to secure victory. Go for a 3-1.

Go for a win for Atalanta. If you bet $100 at 2.81, you will gain $181 for a total payout of $281.

Atalanta vs. Real Madrid Betting Pick: Atalanta