FC Shakhtar Donetsk vs Atalanta: UCL Matchday 6 Odds, Picks & Betting Preview
- FC Shakhtar Donetsk enter UCL group stage finale vs Atalanta as narrow betting favorites
- Shakhtar can advance to the knockout stage with a win in Wednesday’s contest
- Atalanta have won two straight, but do not control their own destiny going into their clash with Shakhtar
FC Shakhtar Donetsk can lock up a berth in the UEFA Champions League knockout stage with a win on Wednesday when they wrap up their group stage schedule against Atalanta as narrow +150 favorites in the European soccer odds.
FC Shakhtar Donetsk vs Atalanta UCL Matchday 6 Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total | Odds to Advance from Group Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FC Shakhtar Donetsk | 0.0 (-115) | +150 | O3.0 (+100) | -175 |
| Atalanta | 0.0 (-105) | +160 | U3.0 (-120) | +275 |
| Draw | N/A | +315 | N/A | N/A |
Odds taken Dec. 6
Shakhtar Building Success on Heart-stopping Comebacks
Undefeated in six straight outings across all competitions, the Miners currently sit second on the Group C table with a 1-3-1 win-draw-loss record in tournament action, but remain just two points up on last-place on the Nerazzurri going into Wednesday afternoon’s Shakhtar Donetsk vs Atalanta matchup at Metalist Oblast Sports Complex in Kharkiv, Ukraine.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TABLE
GROUP B
1. Bayern Munich 15(+17)
2. Tottenham 10(+6)
3. Red Star Belgrade 3(-16)
4. Olympiacos Piraeus ( 1(-7)GROUP C
1.Manchester City 11(+9)
2. Shakhtar Donetsk 6(-2)
3. Dinamo Zagreb 5(+0)
4. Atalanta Bergamasco Calcio 4(-7)— Get247Sport (@Get247Sport) November 27, 2019
Despite avoiding defeat in their past four group stage outings, Shakhtar have struggled to close the door on opponents, settling for draws in each of their past three matches, capped by a crucial 1-1 draw with first-place Manchester City last time out on November 26. However, the Miners’ lone victory so far in the group stage came in their visit to Atalanta back on October 1, a 2-1 comeback victory sealed with a goal in the 90th minute from midfielder Manor Solomon.
Shakhtar needed a late goal to pull level in their recent date with Manchester City, as well as in each of their group stage matchups with Dinamo Zagreb.
Shakhtar needed a late goal to pull level in their recent date with Manchester City, as well as in each of their group stage matchups with Dinamo Zagreb including a 3-3 draw on November 6, in which Mateus Martins and leading scorer Junior Moraes each potted markers in injury time after 90 minutes to salvage the point.
FC Shakhtar Donetsk vs Atalanta Stats
| 102/218 | Number of European Wins / Number of games | 15/40 |
| 343/1.57 | Number European goals scored / Per game | 60/1.5 |
| 288/1.32 | Number of European goals conceded / Per game | 44/1.1 |
| 1 | Number of European trophies won | 0 |
| 12 | Number of domestic league titles won | 0 |
| 2 | Number of European finals | 0 |
Atalanta Need Help to Advance
There have been no such miracles for Atalanta, who do not control their own destiny going into their matchup with Shakhtar as strong +160 road underdogs. Sporting a 1-1-3 record, Atalanta enter Matchday 6 at the bottom of the Group C table, one point back of third-place Dinamo Zagreb, and need a win over Shakhtar combined with a loss or draw from Dinamo in their clash with City to advance to the knockout stage in their first-ever Champions League appearance.
However, the Italian side has played steady football since overcoming a recent five-match winless streak that featured a 3-1 loss to Juventus in Serie A action and a 1-1 draw with City in UCL play. The Nerazzurri are coming off a decisive 3-0 victory over Brescia in league play in their last outing after posting a decisive 2-0 win over Zagreb in their most recent group stage contest, and have now kept clean sheets in three of their past four contests.
Zapata’s Status Still in Doubt
Atalanta have also been steady producers on the road this season, going undefeated in their past three road contests across all competitions, and a solid 5-3-2 overall on the season. The club could also get a huge lift with the return of attacker Duvan Zapata, who has been sidelined since October with a leg injury.
Zapata back for Shakhtar?
Duvan Zapata will reportedly make his comeback for Atalanta in their crunch Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk next week.
[football-italia] #SerieA— Serie A Bot (@BotSerieA) December 2, 2019
The Colombian star, who has potted seven goals in nine league and UCL contests this season was reportedly back at training with the club, and could give the Atalanta offense a big lift should he return to action in time for Wednesday’s match.
Zapata: 'Complicated injury'
Atalanta striker Duvan Zapata might not be back in time to face Shakhtar Donets as he admits his injury has been “serious and complicated”.
[football-italia] #SerieA— Serie A Bot (@BotSerieA) December 3, 2019
However, the club and Zapata have sent mixed signals on his health status this week, both for this weekend’s league clash with Hellas Verona, as well as next week’s group stage finale.
Picks: Atalanta moneyline (+160); Under 3 (-120); Atalanta to advance (+275)
Daniel has been writing about sports and sports betting for over 23 years. The seasoned pro has contributed to the likes of Sports Illustrated, Sportsnet, NESN, Bleacher Report, OddsShark, the Globe and Mail, and The Nation magazine.
