Club Brugge vs Atalanta predictions, odds and betting tips

Club Brugge will do battle with Atalanta in the first leg of their Champions League play-off.

Club Brugge vs Atalanta best bets

• Atalanta to win – 24/11 with SBK
• Atalanta over 1.5 goals – 21/10 with Tote
• Mateo Retegui to score any time – 6/4 with Copybet

Club Brugge vs Atalanta odds

Find the latest match odds for Club Brugge vs Atalanta. All odds are provided by our best football betting sites. Odds are subject to change.

Club Brugge vs Atalanta predictions

Liverpool, Barcelona and Arsenal are among the favourites to win the Champions League, in part because they are already through to the round of 16.

The likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain will also be strong contenders provided they get through the play-offs this month.

When it comes to dark horses, it is worth keeping a close eye on Atalanta. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side performed well in the league phase. They finished ninth, missing out on an automatic last-16 berth by just one point.

They were defeated in just one of their eight matches, going down 3-2 to Real Madrid in a thrilling encounter in December. Atalanta drew with Arsenal and Barcelona, while a tally of 20 goals was bettered only by Barca and Borussia Dortmund.

There are other reasons to be up on Atalanta’s chances of reaching the latter stages of the Champions League. 

One is that they have dropped out of the Serie A title race of late, allowing them to prioritise Europe.

This team also knows how to manage knockout tournaments on the continental stage. Atalanta are the Europa League holders following that impressive victory over Bayer Leverkusen in last year’s final.

Finally, the draw has been pretty kind to la Dea. Of the 24 teams that advanced from the league phase, Club Brugge had the worst record.

That does not necessarily mean Atalanta will sail through this tie, but it is only right that they are strong favourites. If they do make it through the play-offs, Gasperini’s team will face Lille or Aston Villa in the last 16. Either opponent would be eminently beatable.

The progress Atalanta have made under Gasperini, who has now been at the helm for nine years, has been extraordinary. They have consistently punched above their weight over the last few campaigns, culminating in that Europa League triumph last term.

Gasperini previously led Atalanta to the quarter-finals of the Champions League in 2019/20, when they came within minutes of reaching the semis at the expense of Paris Saint-Germain. 

Perhaps Atalanta can outdo that achievement this season, although for now their full focus must be on Club Brugge.

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Club Brugge vs Atalanta betting tips

Atalanta head to Belgium to face Club Brugge as the Champions League play-offs get under way.

Atalanta to win

Club Brugge scraped into the top 24 of the league phase despite losing 3-1 to Manchester City on matchday eight. 

Victories over Sturm Graz, Aston Villa and Sporting CP, together with draws with Celtic and Juventus, ultimately got them over the line. A respectable goal difference of -4 saw them edge out Dinamo Zagreb, who were made to pay for a 9-2 loss to Bayern Munich.

Brugge realised their principal ambition of reaching the play-offs, an accomplishment they should be proud of. But it is hard to see them making much of an impact from here.

Put simply, Atalanta are a stronger side and they will be looking to demonstrate their superiority in the first leg.

There is little chance of Gasperini playing for a draw away from home, so Atalanta should come out on top.

⚽ Back Atalanta to win at 24/11 with SBK ⚽

Atalanta over 1.5 goals

Club Brugge owe their position in the Champions League play-offs to their defence.

The Belgian outfit shipped just nine goals in the league phase. By way of comparison, that is fewer than teams like Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Real Madrid.

On the flip side, no side that avoided an early elimination scored fewer goals than Brugge, who made the net bulge just seven times.

Despite those impressive defensive numbers, Brugge’s backline will have to withstand heavy pressure against Atalanta, one of the most attacking teams on the continent.

Gasperini’s side has what it takes to breach Brugge’s rearguard at least twice on Wednesday night.

⚽ Tip Atalanta to score over 1.5 goals at 21/10 with Tote ⚽

Mateo Retegui to score any time

Mateo Retegui is enjoying a fabulous season for Atalanta. 

The Italy international, who was plucked from relative obscurity in Argentina to represent the Azzurri, has already reached 20 goals in Serie A this term.

Retegui’s next aim is to add to his tally on the biggest stage of all, the Champions League. The 25-year-old has a more modest total of three goals in Europe in 2024/25.

Retegui is a master at finding space in and around the penalty area. That allows him to get shots off from dangerous positions.

Club Brugge will have to keep a close eye on Atalanta’s No.32, but even that will not be enough to stop him influencing proceedings at the Jan Breydel Stadium.

⚽ Choose Mateo Retegui to score any time at 6/4 with Copybet ⚽

📺 How to watch Club Brugge vs Atalanta

• Location: Jan Breydel Stadium, Bruges, Belgium.
• Date and time: Wednesday 12th February, 5.45pm.
• How to watch: TNT Sports 3.

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