Atalanta vs Villarreal: Bergamo will not spare Emery

Atalanta and Villarreal will be the most exciting encounter in UEFA Champions League Group Stage 6. The opponents will essentially be a playoff game. The winner will qualify for the Champions League group stage, while the loser could miss out on a playoff berth in the Europa League. Who will be the stronger of the two in this powerful Spanish-Italian clash? There are several options for betting at once.

Atalanta have picked up the pace just in time

Gian Piero Gasperini’s team have won five of their previous six games. Bergamo's only shame should be that their only non-win in the series came in Switzerland, where Atalanta drew 3-3 with Young Boys, making their chances of qualifying for the Champions League playoffs much more difficult. Only a win against Villarreal can guarantee a place in the UEFA Champions League. In the event of a win in Switzerland, the team would have a chance of a draw in the upcoming game.

Last weekend, Atalanta enjoyed an away win against Napoli on Matchday 16 of the Italian championship, 3-2. The Bergamas moved 2 points clear of the top spot in Serie A.

Have Villarreal thrown everything they have into the Champions League?

Unai Emery’s side is going from bad to worse in the Spanish league. Losing to Sevilla last weekend, Villarreal have already dropped to 16th position in the standings. The handicap from the relegation zone is only 4 points.

Villarreal also lost their last match in the Champions League. The team lost on home soil 0-2 to Manchester United. Although the Yellow Submarine still has a decent chance of continuing in the playoffs. All they need is a draw in Bergamo. Then Emery will be forgiven for everything.

Expert Betting Tips

For Villarreal, the upcoming match is incredibly important. Failure in the national championship and solving any serious tasks is out of the question, can only be justified by success in the Champions League. But Unai Emery’s side is unlikely to be able to snatch even a draw away to Bergamo. Atalanta are on a very strong run, having beaten Napoli and Juventus, and it is doubtful that Villarreal will be sorry.

The prediction is a win for Atalanta.

Betting options:

• W1 for 1.66;
• W1 and both teams to score for 3.00;
• Correct score 2-1 for 7.50.