Verdict: PSG win
Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Officially getting the defence of their Champions League crown underway on Wednesday night, PSG will welcome Atalanta to the French capital.
PSG
Starting with the hosts, shattering a string of records last season as they stormed their way to a maiden Champions League crown, PSG have firmly underlined their status as Europe’s new poster boys. Completing a silverware sweep across all fronts and rightfully received a string of plaudits from across the globe, the former Barcelona boss has only seen his superstar squad embark on another purple patch. Getting the defence of their Champions League title underway on Wednesday night, PSG have won all of their first four Ligue 1 showdowns by an aggregate score of 10-3. Heading into September’s international break with a remarkable 6-3 victory away at Toulouse, Enrique’s side have also continued to shine with their free-scoring performances in the final third.
PSG Team News
Limping off against Lens over the weekend after picking up a first-half blow, PSG are sweating over the fitness of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on Wednesday night. Likewise, Enrique’s camp have already confirmed that they will be unable to call upon Ballon d’Or contender ousmane Dembele.
Finding the net on Sunday and now registering three goals in his previous four appearances for club and country, Bradley Barcola will shoulder plenty of PSG’s attacking threat. Completing a permanent switch from Lille over the summer, new recruit Lucas Chevalier will start between the sticks.
Atalanta
As for the visitors, getting a new era underway over the summer following Ivan Juric’s arrival in Bergamo, it is fair to say that Atalanta are still trying to find their feet under the former Roma boss. Despite marking their return from September’s international break with a much-welcomed 4-1 romp at home against Lecce, that is the only win that La Dea have recorded from their first three Serie A appearances. Getting the new campaign underway with consecutive 1-1 stalemates against Pisa and Parma, Wednesday’s guests know the importance of finding some crucial defensive steel. Signing off last season with an action-packed 3-2 defeat at home against Parma, Atalanta have mustered just a sole clean sheet from any of their previous eight showdowns against top-flight opposition.
Atalanta Team News
While Ademola Lookman might have eventually stayed put in Bergamo despite desperately trying to force through a move away, the Nigerian ace is not expected to feature here. Likewise, missing out against Lecce over the weekend, Atalanta are once again sweating over the fitness of ex-West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca.
Forced to settle for a spot on the bench on Sunday and only making a cameo appearance, summer recruit Yunus Musah could be handed a full recall in the middle of the park. Making a permanent switch from Southampton back in July, Kamaldeen Sulemana should make his Champions League debut.
PSG vs Atalanta Key Factors to Consider
- When PSG and Atalanta met for their only Champions League showdown back in August 2020, the reigning European champions picked up a 2-1 victory in Portugal.
- PSG have won their first four Ligue.1 appearances by an aggregate score of 10-3.
- French international Bradley Barcola has recorded three goals in his last four appearances for club and country.
- Continuing on from last season, Atalanta have recorded just a single clean sheet from their previous eight appearances.
- PSG have suffered just a single defeat on home soil across any competition since the start of March.
Conclusion
Getting the defence of their Champions League crown underway, PSG are in the midst of what has become another sensational purple patch. Winning all of their first four Ligue 1 showdowns by an aggregate score of 10-3, Enrique’s side will be confident of laying down an opening marker on Wednesday night. Landing a 2-1 victory when they met Atalanta for their only Champions League battle in August 2020, the French heavyweights are rightfully installed as a standout contender here. Suffering just a single defeat on home soil since the start of March, we are backing PSG to exploit a leaky La Dea defence.
Verdict: PSG win
Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker: Dachbet
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