Shakhtar Donetsk vs Atalanta predictions: Look for La Dea to triumph in Gelsenkirchen
- Atalanta lost just one of their 13 European games last season
- Both teams have scored in three of Atalanta's last four games
- Recommended bet: Atalanta to win and both teams to score
Shakhtar Donetsk and Atalanta both played out goalless draws in their opening games of the new Champions League campaign but there should be more action when these two face off in one of Wednesday's eye-catching clashes.
La Dea came within a David Raya double save of beating Arsenal in their first outing.
They now face a considerably easier opponent in the shape of Shakhtar, who drew 0-0 with Bologna in their opener, with the pair facing off in Gelsenkirchen.
Team news
Danylo Sikan is unlikely to be involved for Shakhtar as he recovers from a nose injury but full-back Yukhym Konoplya is back from a knock and should feature.
Atalanta's Ben Godfrey and Rafael Toloi are doubtful to feature on Wednesday as they recover from back and thigh issues, respectively.
Isak Hein is a doubt with an adductor problem, alongside Marco Brescianni, while Gianluca Scamacca and Giorgio Scalvini are both out until at least January with knee injuries.
The stats
Shakhtar have already lost two league games from their seven matches, just one less than they did in the entirety of last season.
Atalanta have won 11 of their last 20 games in all competitions and they are the reigning Europa League champions, beating Bayer Leverkusen in the final.
Ademola Lookman netted five times in nine Europa League starts last term.
Both teams have scored in three of La Dea's last four matches in all competitions.
Prediction
Atalanta were unlucky not to take the win when they drew 0-0 with Arsenal first time out in the Champions League but they should be able to get immediate compensation when they face the Miners.
Gian Piero Gasperini's team have struggled after their impressive campaign in which they won the Europa League and also finished fourth in Serie A.
However, Shakhtar have had their own issues domestically, losing two of their seven league games.
That is already just one less than they lost last season, and they look vulnerable here.
Marino Pusic's side drew 0-0 with Bologna two weeks ago but lost the shot count 17-4 in that game and were clinging on at times.
Atalanta are a definite step up on their fellow Serie A side and the away team should be able to pick up a morale-boosting success in Gelsenkirchen.
Their record in Europe has been strong in recent years and they can carry that trend on with a victory on their travels.
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