The second round of matches in Group D of the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League take place on Tuesday the 27th of October. One of the two games features Italian club Atalanta as they take on Ajax Amsterdam at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia, Bergamo.
The hosts come into the game sitting top of the group on 3 points while the visitors are yet to get off the mark.
Atalanta started their Champions League campaign with a good 4-0 victory at Midtjylland last week. The Italians opened the scoring after 26 minutes and added two more goals before half time. Atalanta managed to prevent Midtjylland from getting back into the match in the second half and added a fourth goal just before the final whistle.
However, things did not go according to plan in their Serie A match on the weekend as Atalanta lost 3-1 at home against Sampdoria. That was their second successive defeat in Serie A following the 4-1 loss at Napoli.
Atalanta have a good recent record in the Champions League and have won 5 of their last 6 games in the competition. They are undefeated in each of their last 3 Champions League matches at home including victories over Valencia and Dinamo Zagreb.
Trends show both teams have scored in 3 of Atalanta’s last 4 Champions League games and they have seen over 2.5 goals in each of their last 5 matches in the competition.
Ajax were handed a tricky first fixture in the Champions League group stages as they faced current Premier League champions Liverpool at home. Ajax produced a decent performance and will feel they should have taking something from the match but an unfortunate own goal saw them lose the game 1-0.
However, Ajax bounced back in style in the Eredivisie on the weekend as they defeated VVV Venlo 13-0 away from home. It was an incredible result and included 5 goals for young striker Lassina Traoré. While it will be impossible for Ajax to repeat that performance in the Champions League this week it will give them plenty of confidence going into the match.
Trend show Ajax have struggled to win games in the Champions League recently and they have tasted victory only once in their last 5 Champions League matches. However, they have proven tough to beat away from home and are currently on a 15 game unbeaten run in the competition.
Team news and Atalanta will be without the injured trio of Marco Carnesecchi, Mattia Caldara, and Pierluigi Gollini. Every other player should be fit and available for the hosts.
Ajax travel without forward Mohammed Kudus who picked up an injury last week against Liverpool. That could mean a place in the starting line-up for Lassina Traoré.
We expect to see Atalanta come out on top in this game. However, Ajax could make it tough and there is a good chance both teams will score.