The new, 2024/25, UEFA Champions League season is scheduled to kick off on Tuesday, September 17, with a new format from now on.
For the very first time in the tournament's history, 36 teams are expected to be a part of a new ‘league phase’ instead of the usual group stage.
Under the new Swiss model, all of the clubs will have seven opponents and will be ranked in a 36-team table as per their performances.
The top eight teams will reach straight to the round of 16, while teams finishing 9th to 16th will be seeded for a playoff round against the 17th to 24th ranked team.
As the matchday one is around the corner, the exact dates have been released. The fixtures are set to be played in three nights: Tuesday, September 17, Wednesday, September 18, and Thursday, September 19.
Atalanta vs Arsenal Preview - UEFA Champions League
Atalanta and Arsenal will clash together in their opening Champions League 2024/25 match on September 19 at Stadio di Bergamo.
The draw took place in Monaco on August 30, where the 36 teams found out their seven opponents. Besides Arsenal, the Serie A side is expected to face Real Madrid, Celtic and Sturm Graz at home, while, Barcelona, Shakhtar Donetsk, Young Boys and Stuttgart away.
Mikel Arteta's side, on the other hand, are set to clash with PSG, Shakhtar, Zagreb and Monaco at Emirates Stadium and Milan, Atalanta, Lisbon, Girona away.
Atalanta vs Arsenal Prediction - UEFA Champions League
Both of the teams are set to meet for the first time in their European competition history as the Gunners travel to Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia for an exciting UCL opening match.
The Premier League giants head to Italy in better form, having secured two victories and one draw in their last three domestic outings. Mikel Arteta's side also have been quite solid defensively, conceding just a single goal while scoring five.
Gian Piero Gasperini and his squad, meanwhile, have had a weak start to the new season. The Italian team managed to celebrate a victory only once in their last three matches, facing two defeats and conceding six goals, netting five.
Currently sitting 12th in Serie A, Atalanta will be looking to turn their form around, but their defensive vulnerabilities could be a concern against an in-form North Londoners.
Based on VBET's odds, Arsenal are favored to win the game with odds of 1.91, while Atalanta is priced at 3.99.
Given the current form of both teams, the North Londoners come up as a better side heading into this fixture. The Gunners' solid defense and impressive attack give them an advantage over the ground owners, who have struggled defensively in recent matches.
With Arsenal conceding just a single ball in their last three games and Atalanta’s defense looking vulnerable, the VBET favors an Arsenal win.
*REMEMBER, odds can change frequently, so check back often for the most current information before betting.
Atalanta vs Arsenal Head-to-Head
The teams have never faced each other in a competitive match, meaning the meeting in Italy on September 19 will be their very first official match.
Latest team form
Atalanta: W L L W L
Arsenal: W D W W W
Atalanta vs Arsenal Team News
The Gunners are currently facing multiple injury issues, with concerns over several key players. Bukayo Saka’s fitness is in doubt after he was substituted late in the win against Tottenham.
Meanwhile, Martin Odegaard is expected to be sidelined for a few weeks after the setback he faced with Norway while in the Nations League. Additionally, summer signings Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino are sidelined.
Updates on Saka are expected before the next match, with Gabriel Jesus likely to step in if the Englishman cannot play.
For Atalanta, Berat Djimsiti and Nicolo Zaniolo have returned to the squad for their win over Fiorentina, along with former Arsenal defender Sead Kolasinac.
However, Rafael Toloi, Ben Godfrey, Giorgio Scalvini, and Gianluca Scamacca continue to be unavailable for the coach.
Atalanta vs Arsenal Injury and Suspension list
Atalanta
- Gianluca Scamacca: Cruciate ligament tear (Expected return - February 3. 2025)
- Giorgio Scalvin: Cruciate ligament tear (Expected return - November 19, 2024)
- Sead Kolasinac: Muscle fatigue (Expected return - Unknown)
Arsenal
- Takehiro Tomiyasu: Knee Injury (Expected return - September 28, 2024)
- Mikel Merino: Shoulder Injury (Expected return - Unknown)
- Riccardo Calafiori: Calf Problems (Expected return - Unknown)
- Martin Odegaard: Ankle sprain (Expected return - Unknown)
Atalanta vs Arsenal Predicted XI
Atalanta XI: Carnesecchi; Djimsiti, Hien, de Roon; Zappacosta, Pasalic, Ederson, Ruggeri; De Ketelaere, Brescianini; Retegui
Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Partey, Rice, Jorginho; Saka (Jesus), Havertz, Trossard.
Where to watch Atalanta vs Arsenal
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