Barcelona vs Atalanta prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – League phase betting tips on match 2025-01-28 20:00.
[p]Barcelona conclude their UEFA Champions League (UCL) league phase campaign against Atalanta, a record 159th different team the club has faced in European competition. Barça are already guaranteed a place in the last 16 and come into this clash on a major high after an emphatic 7-1 win over Valencia on Sunday took their goal tally to 101 in 32 competitive games this season, with Hansi Flick the second fastest coach to reach a century of goals with Barça![/p]
[p]The Catalans have been on fire in continental competition, with a run of six consecutive UCL wins, including a thrilling 5-4 away win over Benfica on matchday seven. That streak sets up a platform for Flick to extend his impressive personal record in UCL home games (W10, L1), with his 91% win percentage and goals-per-game average of 3.1 a competition-best of any manager to have overseen 10+ home matches![/p]
[p]Atalanta sealed a place in the knockout round play-offs with a four-goal second-half blitz in an eventual 5-0 win over Sturm Graz on matchday seven, before following that up with a come-from-behind 2-1 win against Como at the weekend. Another triumph would see them advance directly to the last 16, although five defeats in the last six contests (D1) against Spanish clubs suggest La Dea may not have their way. [/p]
[p]Being travellers for this contest appears to give them the best chance to correct that record as Atalanta have won all three UCL away matches this season, one of the only two clubs to do so. The visitors command an impressive average of 2.4 goals per UCL away game, making the Bergamo club the only side to play 5+ games whilst also averaging 2+ goals on the road in this competition.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Lamine Yamal assisted Barcelona’s first goal on Sunday, while his three UCL contributions this season (G1, A2) have been his club’s last of each contest. Ademola Lookman could be Atalanta’s saviour, having contributed six goals (G4, A2) across his last five UCL matches.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Seven of Barcelona’s last eight UCL matches saw the opening goal arrive within the first 20 minutes.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Sridhar B[/i][/p]