Club Brugge and Atalanta will do battle in the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie at the Jan Breydel Stadium on Wednesday evening.
It would be fair to say that these two teams experienced contrasting campaigns during the new-look league phase of Europe's premier club competition.
Club Brugge achieved qualification by the skin of their teeth, placing 24th in the table, with their matchday eight defeat at Man City bringing up one of my bets.
Closer to home, Nicky Hayen’s side are six points behind Belgian Pro League leaders Genk after earning a narrow 1-0 win over OH Leuven on Saturday.
As for Atalanta, they will consider themselves unlucky not to have automatically reached the round of 16 after finishing ninth during the league phase.
That being said, Gian Piero Gasperini’s side will come into this clash in high spirits after getting their Serie A title bid back on track with a thumping 5-0 victory away at Verona at the weekend.
How the bookies view it: Atalanta to advance
The bookmakers make Atalanta odds-on 1/4 shots on Boylesports to secure their passage to the round of 16. In terms of Wednesday evening’s first leg, the Bergamo-based outfit are 21/20 favourites on Boylesports to take top honours in Belgium.
Club Brugge are as big as 13/5 (Boylesports) to claim a first leg victory, while the draw is an unfancied 23/10 (Boylesports).
Head to head: History book blank
Club Brugge and Atalanta will cross paths for the first time ever in the Champions League on Wednesday evening.
The Belgian outfit did host Italian opposition during the league phase, playing out a 0-0 draw with Juventus at this venue.
Players to watch: Retegui in red-hot form
Mateo Retegui scored four of Atalanta’s five goals in their aforementioned 5-0 rout of Verona last time out. The Italian international is an eye-catching 5/4 on UniBet to either score or to provide an assist in Belgium on Wednesday evening.
Club Brugge will look to talisman Hans Vanaken for inspiration in this play-off first leg showdown. The Belgian ace is a lofty 11/2 on Bet 365 for an anytime strike this midweek.
Predicted line-ups
Club Brugge should have a clean bill of health for the visit of Atalanta on Wednesday evening.
However, the same can’t be said of the visitors, who could be without as many as seven players, including key attacker Ademola Lookman.
Club Brugge: Mignolet; Sabbe, Ordonez, Mechele, De Cuyper; Onyedika, Jashari; Vetlesen, Vanaken, Skoras; Jutgla
Atalanta: Patricio; Scalvini, Hien, Djimsiti; Bellanova, Ederson, De Roon, Ruggeri; De Ketelaere, Samardzic; Retegui
Anything else catch the eye?
While first legs can often be cagey affairs, I’m prepared to go against the grain here and back both teams to score at 4/5 on Boylesports.
Both teams have hit the back of the net in four of Club Brugge’s previous six Champions League matches, including their most recent outing away at Man City.
This selection would have also paid out in three of Atalanta's last four continental contests, including each of their last two away from home.
This UEFA Champions League match between Club Brugge and Atalanta will be played on Feb 12, 2025 and kick off at 17:45. Check below for our tipsters best Club Brugge vs Atalanta prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
