After starting the week with back-to-back winners, our football props column has an 8/1 Bet Builder for Wednesday’s Atalanta v Villarreal Champions League showdown…
“It’s a bet he’s landed in nine of 17 starts this season, including in that 2-2 draw in Spain. Atalanta will need to attack and getting their wing-backs forward looks sure to happen.”
This is a big game in the Champions League on Wednesday night – Atalanta must win to progress to the knockout stages, while Villarreal only require a draw.
With a competitive contest in store, there looks ample of opportunity to put together a tasty-priced Bet Builder.
I’ll start with both teams to score, something which has landed in 11 of Atalanta’s last 13 games.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s side have long played attacking football and have been happy to win end-to-end games. Here, the group situation looks perfectly suited to their style.
Villarreal’s stats in this vector are not so good, although that’s hardly surprising given Spain has produced relatively few goals this season. It’s perhaps better to look at their Champions League games where they’ve seen BTTS land in three of five, including the reverse fixture which ended 2-2.
Next, it’s onto the shots markets where defender Pau Torres is usually good for 1+ shot. He’s managed this in his last nine games for club and country and 12 of 17 overall for Villarreal this season, providing great aerial threat on set plays.
For Atalanta, Davide Zappacosta is where the value lies in the 2+ shots market. It’s a bet he’s landed in nine of 17 starts this season, including in that 2-2 draw in Spain. Atalanta will need to attack and getting their wing-backs forward looks sure to happen.
Finally, I’m happy to add over 4.5 cards given Anthony Taylor is the referee.
The Englishman has a strong record for dishing out cards in his European games. He’s managed over 4.5 cards in 18 of his last 25 UEFA club appointments.
Atalanta have received the sixth-most cards in Serie A and while Villarreal’s record isn’t so good, the prize at stake here means I’d expect the likes of card regulars Etienne Capoue, Francis Coquelin and Raul Albiol to be getting stuck in.
Source: Betfair Champions League
