Barcelona vs Atalanta Prediction 29.01.2025 | Champions League

• Competition: UEFA Champions League - Matchday 8
• Date: Wednesday, 29th, January 2025
• Kickoff: 20:00 UK / 21:00 CET
• Venue: Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys (Barcelona)

A highly motivated Barcelona will be looking to wrap up the league phase as runners-up when they host Atalanta at the Estadio de Montjuic in Wednesday's Champions League action.

Under the leadership of Hansi Flick, Barcelona appear well-equipped to chase trophies on all fronts this season, including the "Big Ears," whose group stage they navigated in near-perfect fashion, joining Liverpool as the only team to qualify directly for the round of 16. In fact, the only collapse for the Catalan giant occurred on the opening day, after which they staged a linhearted response by winning all of their subsequent six European games, including last week's unforgettable comeback when they claimed a seven-goal thriller against Benfica, despite being 1-3 down until the 78th minute.

As last season's Europa League winners, Atalanta earned direct entry into the new format of Europe’s most prestigious club competition, where they have made a strong impression and are on the brink of sealing a spot in the last-16 round. The only blemish on their Champions League campaign came at the hands of record-breaking champions Real Madrid, who defeated them in a dramatic five-goal contest, but their response was thunderous as they roared to a mesmerizing 5-0 win over Sturm Graz last Tuesday.

Barcelona vs Atalanta Betting Tips: BTTS

If there’s one thing we can be sure about in this contest, it’s goals, considering that two formidable attacking forces are locking horns that have been tearing up the opposition's nets like a joke this season. Although they’ve often made mistakes in defense, Barcelona's offense has been unstoppable, earning them a reputation as the deadliest team in the Champions League with an incredible 26 goals scored, averaging almost four goals per match. In recent weeks, the Catalan giant's attack struck fear into their opponents, as clearly demonstrated in the weekend's LaLiga action, when they tore Valencia apart with a ruthless 7-1 victory. However, if anyone can exploit the weaknesses in Barcelona's defense, it’s undoubtedly Atalanta, who are just behind the Catalan side when it comes to breaking down opposition defenses in the UCL this term, boasting 18 goals from seven matches. With their last-16 qualification still up in the air, Atalanta will come out all guns blazing from the first whistle, and we’re confident they can break through Barcelona's shaky backline, but it’s hard to see them getting any points as the Catalan giants show no mercy in front of goal, so we expect a goal-fest.