Borussia Dortmund – Atalanta: can either side seize an advantage in the first leg?
The UEFA Champions League play-offs get underway, and on Tuesday, February 17, Borussia Dortmund will host Atalanta in the first leg of the preliminary knockout round. Kick-off is set for 21:00 CET, and I am offering a betting tip for this fixture.
Borussia Dortmund – Atalanta: match facts and head-to-head
- Borussia Dortmund have won their last three matches.
- Atalanta are unbeaten in four consecutive games and have recorded three straight victories.
- Both Borussia and Atalanta have scored in each of their last three matches.
- This season, Borussia have won 39% of their matches with a clean sheet, while Atalanta have done so in 34%.
- Only 9% of Borussia’s matches this season have ended in a scoreless defeat, compared to 14% for Atalanta.
- In 52% of their matches this season, Borussia have scored in both halves.
- The most recent meeting between the sides ended in a 1–1 draw.
Borussia Dortmund – Atalanta: match preview
Dortmund enjoyed a solid campaign in the league phase of this competition. The side collected 11 points from eight matches, registering three wins, two draws and three defeats. Borussia finished 17th, edging Olympiacos on goal difference. Domestically, Dortmund are second in the table with 51 points after 22 rounds, trailing the leaders by six.
Atalanta changed head coach earlier this season. The start of the 2025/26 campaign fell short of expectations, leading to Ivan Jurić’s departure, with Palladino stepping in. He has steadied the ship, and Atalanta now sit sixth in the domestic standings with 42 points from 25 matches. In the Champions League league phase, the Bergamo side finished slightly higher than Borussia. Atalanta collected 13 points from eight matches, ending in 15th place, level with Atlético but behind on tiebreakers.
Probable line-ups
- Borussia: Kobel, Süle, Svensson, Anton, Ryerson, Bensebaini, Nmecha, Brandt, Bellingham, Guirassy, Beier
- Atalanta: Carnesecchi, Djimsiti, Scalvini, Kolašinac, Zappacosta, Pašalić, Samardžić, Zalewski, Éderson, Krstovic, Raspadori
Prediction
We are set for a compelling encounter between two sides that finished close to each other in the standings and are determined to progress to the next round. Borussia will have home advantage, where they traditionally perform strongly with the backing of their supporters. The recommended bet is a victory for the hosts.
