Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta predictions: Home advantage gives BVB the edge
Ross Kilvington
Dortmund won just three matches in the group stages this season
Atalanta lost their final two Champions League matches
Recommended bet: Borussia Dortmund to win
Borussia Dortmund play host to Atalanta in the first leg of the knockout play-off clash, with the winner of the tie securing a spot in the last 16.
The Bundesliga side enter the game on the back of a three-game winning streak, although they did lose their final two group stage matches in the competition.
Atalanta are also on a decent run of form, winning three consecutive Serie A matches, including an impressive 3-0 triumph over Juventus.
However, La Dea's last Champions League win came back in December, when they defeated Chelsea 2-1.
The latest Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck is set to return to the starting XI after serving a domestic ban.
Daniel Svensson was banned for the previous Champions League match against Inter Milan, but he too is available this week.
On the injury front, Emre Can will be missing due to a groin problem, but that is the only injury worry that BVB have at the moment.
Atalanta will be without the services of Charles De Ketelaere because of injury and that could be a big blow.
The Belgian registered six goal contributions during the group stage for the Serie A side and it remains to be seen when he will return to the side.
The stats
These two sides have only met twice before in European competition. That came during the 2017/18 season in the knockout stages of the Europa League.
Dortmund won the first leg 3-2, before a 1-1 draw in Italy saw the Bundesliga outfit progress to the next round.
The German side scored 19 goals across their eight games in the group stage this season, although they conceded 17 times.
Atalanta scored just 10 times across eight matches, but their defensive record was far superior, having conceded just 10 goals.
Dortmund have scored two or more goals across their previous three games in the Bundesliga.
Atalanta have kept three clean sheets across their last four matches, with only Cremonese breaching their defence in that time.
Julian Brandt, Serhou Guirassy and Felix Nmecha have all scored three goals for Dortmund in the competition.
Gianluca Scamacca, De Ketelaere and Lazar Samardzic are Atalanta's joint top scorers with two goals each in the Champions League.
The latest Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
This matchup certainly looks like it could be an exciting one, especially given the form of both teams of late.
Indeed, each side has won their previous three matches and not much will separate them on Tuesday evening.
Home advantage could be the key element for Dortmund, who have lost only once at Signal Iduna Park in this competition this season.
As such, expect the German side to emerge victorious, although it will be a tight affair.
