Atalanta vs Real Madrid Prediction: Expect another tough night for Los Blancos

Life has not exactly been kind to Real Madrid in the Champions League so far this season and our Spanish Football expert is not convinced that it'll get any better on Tuesday night in Italy.

This one is set for a 20:00 kick-off on TNT Sports 1 and you can check out Mark's preview below along with his two top Atalanta vs Real Madrid Predictions...

*You can check out all of the Football Odds we offer over at betfred.com

After three defeats in their last four Champions League games, holders Real Madrid are in danger of suffering an embarrassing early exit from this season's competition. It doesn't get any easier on Tuesday, as they travel to Bergamo to take on Serie A leaders Atalanta. 

Los Blancos are currently down in 24th in the new league phase standings. That would be enough to see them scrape into the play-off round, but slip any lower and their European campaign would end in January. 

They do have two slightly more favourable fixtures to come next month, but this is still a pressure game for Carlo Ancelotti's side, and it's one they surely must win to retain any realistic hope of finishing in the top eight positions. 

Real Madrid have blown hot and cold in recent weeks, with their last 12 games serving up seven wins, but five defeats. That period covers Champions League losses against Lille, Milan and Liverpool, while they also ended up on the losing side against Barcelona and Athletic Club in La Liga. 

Their defeat in Bilbao last week was the worst possible start to an incredibly tough 11 day period, consisting of four tricky away fixtures. However, the defending Spanish and European champions bounced back well, with an impressive 3-0 victory at Girona on Saturday. 

There was a morale boosting goal for Kylian Mbappé in that game, while Jude Bellingham continued his return to form by scoring in a fifth successive league game. The England midfielder has also set up three goals across that period, but is yet to truly make his mark on the Champions League stage this season. 

Bellingham has once again thrived in an attacking midfield role, but Vinícius Júnior's return to the fold following injury, leaves Ancelotti with some thinking to do over the coming weeks.  

He could opt to return to a 4-3-3 system, with Bellingham in a deeper role. Alternatively, the Italian may decide that last season's approach, with the 21-year-old operating behind two strikers is the way to go, in which case Rodrygo would most likely be sacrificed. 

Having travelled to the Premier League leaders on matchday five, Serie A table toppers Atalanta await on Tuesday for Real Madrid. The Europa League holders were beaten 2-0 by Los Blancos in the UEFA Super Cup back in August, but will fancy their chances this time around, with a home advantage at the Gewiss Stadium. 

It has been an almost perfect season so far for Gian Piero Gasperini's side. They've won nine on the bounce in all competitions heading into this match, and Friday's 2-1 home win over Milan ensured they moved above Napoli to top Serie A, while they are also the Italian top flight's top scorers with 38 goals in 15 matches. 

They've been every bit as impressive in the Champions League where they are one of just three remaining unbeaten sides, along with Liverpool and Inter.  

A dominant 6-1 victory at Young Boys on matchday five, with Mateo Retegui and Charles De Ketelaere both scoring braces, ensured they moved onto 11 points. Victory here will almost certainly leave them on course for a top eight finish and progress to the round-of-16, with a home game against Sturm Graz still to come. 

With Europa League final hero Ademola Lookman also enjoying another exceptional season, they are one of the most dangerous attacking teams in Europe, but they've also been solid defensively in the Champions League and hadn't conceded until their trip to Switzerland a fortnight ago. 

Team News: 

Gianluca Scamacca has been the big injury absentee for Atalanta this season, but the stunning form of Retegui has more than compensated for that. With 14 goals in all competitions, the 25-year-old should return to the starting lineup here, having dropped to the bench last time out against Milan. 

Davide Zappacosta and Juan Cuadrado are also expected to be missing for the Italian side, but Gasperini should have a full squad to pick from otherwise. 

As for Real Madrid, Vinícius is back in the squad after injury, and is likely to be thrown straight back into the team given the importance of the fixture. Bellingham should also start, despite a minor injury scare against Girona at the weekend. 

The visitors are still missing five players due to injury though, with Eduardo Camavinga, Ferland Mendy, David Alaba, Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão currently sidelined. 

Atalanta vs Real Madrid Odds

There's little to choose between the sides in the Match result market, with Atalanta on offer at 6/4 (40% implied probability), while Real Madrid are priced at 7/5 (42%). The Draw is on offer at 12/5 (29%). 

With both sides blessed with so much attacking talent, Both teams to score is priced at 1/2, while Over 2.5 goals is available at 4/7. You can back Over 3.5 goals at 6/4, while Both teams to score in the First Half is priced at 5/2. 

If you're expecting in-form Atalanta to turn it on again, the Serie A leaders are available at 11/10 to score over 1.5 goals, while they are priced at 21/10 to score in both halves. 

Los Blancos were big winners in a potentially tricky away game at the weekend though, and you can back Real Madrid -1.00 Handicap at 18/5 if you see them backing that up on Tuesday night in Bergamo. They are also priced at 1/1 to score over 1.5 goals. 

Despite his recent struggles in front of goal, Mbappé is the 9/2 favourite to score first, while he's 5/4 to score anytime. Jude Bellingham is a big price at 3/1 in that market given his current form, while Vinícius is available at 15/8 to score anytime on his return from injury. 

From an Atalanta perspective, Retegui leads the way at 11/2 to score first and 8/5 to score anytime, while De Ketelaere can be backed at 5/2 to get on the scoresheet. 

Bet 1 - Atalanta to win @ 13/8 

With three defeats in their last four Champions League games, Real Madrid are currently a shadow of the side that went unbeaten in the competition last term to claim their 15th European Cup. 

While the return of  Vinícius is a boost, it will force Ancelotti into another tactical shift and that may end up having a detrimental effect on Bellingham who has been a key figure in recent weeks. There isn't any sense that the Real Madrid boss has found the right formula just yet, and they've invariably fallen short in the toughest fixtures so far this season.  

They don't come much tougher than this, with the Serie A leaders flying at the moment. I'm backing Atalanta to record a 10th straight victory in all competitions at 13/8. 

Bet 2 - Both teams to score & Ademola Lookman 1+ shots on target @ 1/1 

While they've been defending well in the Champions League, there is always a sense that Atalanta can be vulnerable defensively. They do take risks and with both sides likely to be targeting the three points here, this has the potential to develop into quite an open game. 

Real Madrid are missing their first choice full-backs, and it could be a long night in store for both Fran García and Lucas Vázquez. Atalanta will certainly look to attack down the flanks, but they have a number of different ways in which they can catch opposing defences out. 

Ademola Lookman is a big part of that. The former Everton winger has scored 10 goals in 17 appearances in all competitions this term. He's averaging 1.63 shots on target per 90 minutes in Serie A, and will fancy his chances of testing Thibaut Courtois at some point in this game. 

Given that, I'm using the Bet Builder to back Both teams to score and Ademola Lookman 1+ shots on target at 1/1. 

Mark Sochon primarily covers Spanish Football for us at Betfred Insights. You can check out Mark's La Liga Betting Tips along with those from the rest of the Betfred Insights Spanish Football writers on our La Liga home page...