Ajax vs Atalanta prediction: the glamour tie of the UEFA Conference League night takes place on Thursday at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam, where Ajax host Atalanta in MD2 with kick-off at 20:00 WAT.
Ajax were beaten 2-1 at Hajduk Split on MD1, while Atalanta bounced back with a 3-1 win over Pafos. This Ajax vs Atalanta prediction is a fascinating one: the Italians are unbeaten in the two previous meetings between the clubs — 2-2 in Bergamo and 1-0 in Amsterdam in the 2020-21 Champions League — but they arrive with Raspadori, Hien and Kossounou out and Kessie a doubt.
Ajax vs Atalanta Match Preview
Ajax will look to get their Conference League campaign up and running in front of their own fans after the MD1 defeat in Split, and recent form gives them encouragement — they put five past Groningen at the weekend, with Brandt and Mokio both scoring twice. Atalanta, meanwhile, keep conceding on the road, most recently in the 3-2 defeat at AC Milan, and their injury list is growing at the wrong time.
Team Recent Form
Ajax – W-L-D-D-W
- 18 Oct: Groningen 2-5 Ajax – Won (Brandt and Mokio both scored twice)
- 15 Oct: Hajduk Split 2-1 Ajax (UECL) – Lost
- 10 Oct: Ajax 1-1 NEC Nijmegen – Drawn
- 19 Sep: Ajax 2-2 Excelsior – Drawn
- 15 Sep: Ajax 5-1 Willem II – Won
Atalanta – L-W-W-L-L
- 18 Oct: AC Milan 3-2 Atalanta – Lost (came back from 3-0 down; Gaetano, Krstovic)
- 15 Oct: Atalanta 3-1 Pafos (UECL) – Won (Raspadori injured)
- 12 Oct: Atalanta 3-1 Venezia – Won
- 20 Sep: Juventus 2-0 Atalanta – Lost
- 12 Sep: Atalanta 1-2 Cagliari – Lost
Key Stats
- Atalanta are unbeaten in the two previous meetings (W1 D1, 2020-21 UCL).
- Ajax are slight favourites (BetMGM +117, ≈2.17).
- Atalanta are without Raspadori (thigh), Hien and Kossounou, with Kessie a doubt — though Soccernews reports Kessie definitely out.
2-1 — Ajax’s home firepower (5 at Groningen) should edge an Atalanta side that keeps conceding on the road, with both teams likely to score.
Ajax vs Atalanta H2H
- The two sides have met twice, both in the 2020-21 UCL group stage.
- Atalanta 2-2 Ajax in Bergamo.
- Ajax 0-1 Atalanta in Amsterdam (December 2020).
- Atalanta are unbeaten in the fixture.
Pre Game Odds
Best prices for this Ajax vs Atalanta prediction (BetMGM via sportsgambler, 20 Oct), via Sports Mole’s Ajax vs Atalanta preview:
- Ajax win: +117 (≈2.17)
- Draw: not found
- Atalanta win: +210 (≈3.10)
- Over 2.5 goals: -147
- Both teams to score – Yes: -172
Team News Ajax
Ajax are without Kasper Dolberg (knee, long-term), Simon Adingra, Anton Gaaei, Steven Berghuis, Caio Henrique and Daley Blind. Yves Bissouma is not in the UECL squad.
Team News Atalanta
Giacomo Raspadori is out with the thigh injury he suffered against Pafos, while Isak Hien and Odilon Kossounou are also out. Franck Kessie is a doubt according to Sports Mole, although Soccernews reports he is definitely out. Sead Kolasinac, Giorgio Scalvini and Kamaldeen Sulemana are all being assessed.
Possible lineups, via Sports Mole:
Ajax (4-2-3-1): Ter Stegen; Kehrer, Bouman, Baas, Wijndal; Mokio, Amrabat; Tsygankov, Brandt, Gloukh; Arokodare.
Atalanta (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Zappacosta, Kristensen, Obric, Bernasconi; Pasalic, Ederson; Elmas, De Ketelaere, Zalewski; Scamacca.
One uncertainty to flag: Soccernews tips Gaetano for a full recall after his goal against Milan, and Krstovic may start instead of Scamacca.
Ajax vs Atalanta Betting Tips
Tip 1 – Result: Ajax win. Ajax’s home firepower — five goals at Groningen — should be too much for an Atalanta side that keeps conceding on the road and is missing key defenders.
Tip 2 – Over-Under 2.5: Over 2.5 goals. Both sides have been scoring freely: Ajax hit five at Groningen, while Atalanta came back from 3-0 down to 3-2 at Milan. Available at -147.
Tip 3 – BTTS Yes-No: Yes. Both sides have been scoring freely and Atalanta’s injury-hit defence is there to be got at — but the Italians rarely fire blanks either. Priced at -172.
Final verdict – this Ajax vs Atalanta prediction: Ajax win, over 2.5 goals and BTTS Yes, with a 2-1 correct score. For more midweek European action, see our Aston Villa vs Viking prediction, betting tips and team news.
