Prediction and odds for the game: Real Madrid (21/20) vs Atalanta (12/5)

We are backing the home win

When: Tuesday, 16th March 2021, Kick-off 20:00

Where: The Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano

On Tuesday night, Real Madrid will look to book their place in the last eight of the Champions League, as Zinedine Zidane’s team host dangerous Italian outfit Atalanta for the second leg of their Champions League tie. The first leg in Bergamo finished 1-0 to the Spanish giants after the early dismissal of Atalanta midfielder Remo Freuler.

Real Madrid

Los Blancos have been something of a strange team this season. At times they have looked commanding and then at other times, they have looked unconvincing. The Spanish champions head into this potentially difficult encounter on the back of an eight-game unbeaten run in all competitions. Last time out, Zidane’s team recorded a 2-1 home win over struggling Elche.

When it comes to the Champions League, Real Madrid seems to have an ability to up their game under their French boss, who has won the competition on three occasions with Los Blancos. The team from the capital have a good recent record in the competition, winning four of their last six matches. Defensive solidity has been a big factor in that recent record in European football’s elite competition, as they have kept clean sheets in four of their last five matches.

Atalanta

The Nerazzurri’s recent results have been slightly consistent, as they have won three and lost two of their last five competitive games. However, those results are slightly misleading, as the two defeats were in the reverse fixture and against now runaway leaders Inter.

On the flip-side, the visitors have won three of their last four games in all competitions, scoring at least two goals in each game. No doubt the Nerazzurri are a big attacking threat, even if they have not quite reached the same scoring levels of last season.

Unlike their illustrious opponents, Atalanta have a chequered record in the Champions League. In fact, the Nerazzurri head into this clash having won two, drawn two and lost two of their last six matches in European football’s elite competition. Rather uncharacteristically of Atalanta in recent seasons, their recent European outings have been low-scoring with under 2.5 goals scored in their last four matches in the Champions League.

One major positive for Gian Piero Gasperini’s team is their recent away record in the Champions League, as they have won their last five away matches in Europe’s elite competition.

Conclusion

The first leg was a close affair, but we expect this to be a slightly more entertaining encounter. Atalanta have their work cut out to turnaround the scoreline from the first leg. Los Blancos have the players to exploit their attacking style, so we are backing Zidane’s team to record a narrow victory. The other recommendation we are making is over 2.5 goals scored.

Verdict: We are backing the home win at odds of 21/20 and/or over 2.5 goals scored at odds of 8/11. (All odds are taken from Bet365).

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Can Atalanta upset the odds by booking their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League?