Bergamo-based entertainment for the neutral
Atalanta welcome Manchester United to Bergamo on matchday four of the Champions League looking to leapfrog the Red Devils into top spot in Group F. La Dea were two goals up through Mario Pasalic and Merih Demiral inside half an hour in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford in late October. The hosts still have a few lingering injuries particularly in defence, which means that Gian Piero Gasperini will throw caution to the wind even more, knowing that Atalanta need to score plenty to win a game. The loss of Cristian Romero to Tottenham Hotspur in the summer has weakened the backline that United’s embarrassment of riches in attacking areas will want to take advantage of.
Background
It is a surprise to still see Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in a job with the short and medium term ambitions of the club’s hierarchy very hard to understand. On paper it is one of the best squads in world football and yet it appears that they may struggle to qualify for the Champions League this season. United are rightful favourites at Atalanta, the personnel that Solskjaer has at his disposal commands that.
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored in every match in the competition so far and will be looking to do the same once again. Duvan Zapata and Josip Ilicic are in good goalscoring form and Ruslan Malinovsky is a threat from all angles, Gasperini would have had seen the way Liverpool dismantled the Red Devils’ backline and look to inflict a similar fate on Tuesday evening. This will be great fun and a cracker for neutral viewing.
Goals?
My angle in for this encounter, often a sensible choice with how fearless Atalanta are in their attacking brand of football.
- Atalanta have scored in all of their last 12.
- Atalanta have conceded in eight of ten.
- Atalanta have seen both teams score in eight of ten.
- Atalanta have seen over 2.5 goals in seven of ten.
- Man U have scored in seven of ten.
- Man U have conceded in nine of ten.
- Man U have seen both teams score in six of ten.
- Man U have seen over 2.5 goals in seven of ten.
United will be confident of kicking on and running away with the group if they can take three points from this encounter. It will certainly take some of the weight off of Solskjaer’s shoulders but Atalanta will be licking their lips at United’s rearguard action in recent weeks.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
2-2 comfortable winner.