The new Champions League format seems like some kind of success so far. I believe UEFA found something interesting to build on with the new look of the Champions League. We have two predictions ready for you: Shakhtar vs Atalanta, and Benfica vs Atletico Madrid.
This match will be played at the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Of course, that is a disadvantage for Shakhtar, but they are used to it at this point. This is the second match for both clubs in the Champions League. Both teams had goalless draws in their first fixture, respectively. Shakhtar Donetsk drew with Bologna away, while Atalanta played against Arsenal at home in Bergamo. Atalanta has lost three out of their last five matches in Serie A. Atalanta drew with Bologna this week and they are currently placed at the 12th position with two wins out of six. Not as good as expected before the season started. Atalanta still has time though to repeat what they did the previous season.
Shakhtar is currently in 4th spot in the domestic league table. They have won three out of their last five matches and four out of seven in total. Shakhtar drew with Veres Rivne this weekend away (1-1). They're already six points behind the table leaders Dynamo Kiev. Bondarenko has scored four goals in the domestic league, and Sikan and Sudokov have scored three each. Traditionally, Shakhtar is a strong team at home in international competition. They have only lost one of their last four matches at home in the Champions League.
Shakhtar: Risny:, Konoplya, Matviyenko, Bondar, Pedrinho: Bondarenko, Kyrskiv: Zubkov, Sudakov, Newerton, and Traore.
**Atalanta: **Carnesecchi; Djimsiti, Kossounou, Kolasinac; Zappacosta, Ederson, De Roon, Ruggeri; Samardzic, Lookman, and Retegui.
Atletico had one of the biggest games of the year when they faced their local rivals Real Madrid in La Liga this weekend. The match ended 1-1 after Correa equalized in stoppage time for Atletico. They are undefeated in the domestic league after eight games, winning four and drawing four. Atletico sits in 4th place in the league table, five points behind Barcelona, who leads. Atletico Madrid defeated RB Leipzig on the opening day of the Champions League, winning 2-1. Atletico came back after being down, thanks to goals from Gimenez and Griezmann, with the latter scoring the winner in stoppage time. Manager Diego Simeone must be satisfied with the start of the season, particularly the solid defense.
Benfica was off to a great start in the Champions League, defeating Red Star Belgrade away 2-1 after goals from Akturkoglou and Kukcu. Benfica controlled most of the match in Belgrade. Manager Bruno Lage, who took over after Schmid was sacked early in the season, was pleased with the win. Benfica has played seven domestic league games, winning five. They’ve got one draw and one loss. This weekend, Benfica won 5-1 against Gil Vicente, with five different players scoring. Benfica is currently in 3rd place in the Primeira Liga, five points behind leaders Sporting Lisbon.
Benfica: Trubin; Araujo, Silva, Otamendi, Fernandez; Aursnes, Luis, Kokcu; Di Maria, Akturkoglou, Pavlidis.
Atletico: Oblak; Molina, Le Normand, Gimenez, Reinildo; De Paul, Llorente, Gallagher; Griezmann, Alvarez, Correa.
BENFICA VS ATLETICO MADRID
2.13
BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE - NO
BENFICA VS ATLETICO MADRID
2.13
BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE - NO
SHAKHTAR DONETSK VS ATALANTA
2.17
DOUBLE CHANCE - SHAKHTAR OR DRAW
SHAKHTAR DONETSK VS ATALANTA
2.17
DOUBLE CHANCE - SHAKHTAR OR DRAW
