Atalanta vs Athletic Club

Atalanta [WDWWW] have already secured at least a knockout-phase play-off place in this UCL campaign after collecting four wins so far [4W, 1D, 1L]. A 2-1 win over Chelsea in December lifted La Dea to fifth in the standings on 13 points, and another triumph here would see them record four consecutive wins in the competition for the first time since the 2019/20 season. Domestic form [LWWWD] has been solid if unspectacular of late, with a 1-1 draw away at Pisa last Friday keeping Gian Piero Gasperini’s side just outside the European qualification places in Serie A. Even so, nine wins from their last 12 competitive matches [9W, 1D, 2L] underline Atalanta’s consistency across competitions. Their home form has been imposing, with six victories in their last seven matches on their soil [6W, 0D, 1L], four of those coming with clean sheets. This fixture represents the first UEFA competition meeting between Atalanta and Athletic Club, though the hosts’ record against Spanish opposition is less encouraging. La Dea are winless in their last seven such encounters [0W, 2D, 5L], with their only victory against Spanish sides coming in the 2019/20 UCL round of 16 against Valencia. Raffaele Palladino will welcome Ademola Lookman from the Africa Cup of Nations, although Raoul Bellanova, Mitchel Bakker and Berat Djimsiti remain sidelined. Gianluca Scamacca is expected to start upfront in a 3—4—2—1 pattern.

Athletic Club [LWLDD] arrive in Bergamo under pressure, with their UCL campaign stalling at a critical stage. A goalless draw against Paris Saint-Germain last time out left the Basque side 28th in the league-phase table with just five points [1W, 2D, 3L], two points outside the top 24 and needing to navigate the play-off route to extend their European adventure. Goals have been in short supply for Ernesto Valverde’s men, who have failed to score in their last three UCL matches [0W, 2D, 1L]. Domestic form offers little respite, either, as the Lions have suffered four defeats in their last seven La Liga fixtures [2W, 1D, 4L], including a 3-2 loss to Mallorca at the weekend. Injuries further complicate matters, with Beñat Prados, Unai Egiluz and Maroan Sannadi ruled out, while Aymeric Laporte, Mikel Vesga and Alex Berenguer remain doubts. Valverde may stick with a 4—2—3—1 pattern with Gorka Guruzeta leading the attack.