Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta Prediction, Betting Pick, Latest Champions League Odds for Play-Off Leg 1
Two sides looking to make a statement after a mixed Champions League league phase, Borussia Dortmund (who finished 17th) prepare to host Atalanta (who finished 15th) in the first leg of their Champions League knockout tie. The highly anticipated fixture is set for Tuesday, 17th February 2026, with kick-off at 8:00 PM UTC.
OC Staff - February 17, 2026, 12:45 PM EST
3 Minute ReadBorussia Dortmund vs Atalanta: Lineups, Team News and Prediction
Two sides looking to make a statement after a mixed Champions League league phase, Borussia Dortmund (who finished 17th) prepare to host Atalanta (who finished 15th) in the first leg of their Champions League knockout tie. The highly anticipated fixture is set for Tuesday, 17th February 2026, with kick-off at 8:00 PM UTC.
Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta Form
Borussia Dortmund approach this European clash on the back of a dominant 4-0 home victory against Mainz in the Bundesliga. Over their last six matches across all competitions, the German side has shown mixed form, recording three wins and three defeats. While their recent Bundesliga performances have been strong, securing wins against Mainz, FC Heidenheim, and Union Berlin, they also faced losses to Wolfsburg, Inter, and Tottenham during this period.
Atalanta arrive in Germany with impressive momentum, having secured a 2-0 away victory over Lazio in Serie A in their last outing. The Italian outfit has been in excellent recent form, recording four wins, one draw, and just one loss in their last six matches across all competitions. This strong run includes notable victories over Cremonese, Juventus, and Parma Calcio 1913, alongside a goalless draw with Como. Their only recent defeat came against Union St.Gilloise in the Champions League. Crucially, Atalanta have conceded only two goals in their last six fixtures, highlighting their robust defensive solidity.
Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta Head to Head
The last competitive encounter between these two clubs was a 1-1 draw in the Europa League back in February 2018, a result which saw Borussia Dortmund progress 4-3 on aggregate after a thrilling two-legged tie.
Looking at their limited history, these two teams have met just three times previously. In addition to the aforementioned Europa League clashes where Dortmund secured one win and one draw, Atalanta claimed a narrow 1-0 victory in a Club Friendly back in 2017. This suggests a tightly contested rivalry, despite the infrequent nature of their meetings.
Looking for advanced AI predictions and props to enhance your soccer betting? Try out oddschecker+ now on this limited time 7-day free trial!
Borussia Dortmund vs. Atalanta Odds
Click here for complete Dortmund vs. Atalanta Odds
Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta Probable Lineups
Borussia Dortmund (3-4-2-1):
- GK: Kobel
- DC: Süle, Anton, Schlotterbeck
- ML: Ryerson
- MC: Nmecha, Bellingham
- MR: Reggiani
- AM: Beier, Brandt
- FC: Guirassy
Atalanta (3-4-2-1):
- GK: Carnesecchi
- DC: Kossounou, Djimsiti, Ahanor
- ML: Bernasconi
- MC: de Roon, Éderson
- MR: Zappacosta
- AM: Zalewski, Samardzic
- FC: Krstovic
Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta Team News
Borussia Dortmund face several absences for this crucial Champions League tie. Emre Can is sidelined with adductor pain, while Daniel Svensson is suspended. Further squad players, including F. Mané and A. Kabar, are also unavailable due to injury, potentially limiting midfield rotation options for the hosts.
Atalanta have one significant injury concern as Charles De Ketelaere misses out. The creative midfielder leads the team in goal involvements, chances created, and big chances created in this Champions League campaign, making his absence a considerable blow to their attacking prowess.
Prediction: Borussia Dortmund 3-1 Atalanta
This Champions League knockout tie pits two sides with contrasting approaches, promising a stylistically volatile encounter. Borussia Dortmund, despite a recent struggle for goals in Europe (having not scored for 219 Champions League minutes), arrive with renewed domestic rhythm, securing three consecutive wins after an earlier home defeat. Their predicted 3-4-2-1 formation, designed to accelerate forward play, relies heavily on Nico Schlotterbeck’s impressive distribution and the vertical runs of Felix Nmecha and Julian Brandt. Serhou Guirassy's clinical efficiency, converting 29% of his shots in the Champions League, remains a significant threat for the German side, though the challenge for them has often been consistent supply.
Atalanta, mirroring the 3-4-2-1 shape, prioritises positional compactness and defensive duels. Their impressive defensive record, conceding only two goals in their last six matches, underscores their ability to frustrate opponents, anchored by Odilon Kossounou’s proactive ball-winning. However, the absence of key creative force Charles De Ketelaere, who leads the team in goal involvements, chances created, and big chances created in this Champions League campaign, making his absence a considerable blow to their attacking prowess.
The tie sets up as a contest between Dortmund's vertical risk-taking and Atalanta's defensive control. While Atalanta’s defensive organisation has proven effective on the road in Europe, the home advantage and Dortmund’s attacking efficiency, especially if the game becomes open, could prove decisive. The German side will push for an early advantage, and with Atalanta missing their chief creator, the hosts are expected to find the breakthroughs needed for a comfortable win.
Best Bet: Over 2.5 Goals (-125) Check out the best odds on Caesars Sportsbook
With Borussia Dortmund predicted to score three goals and Atalanta one, the forecast scoreline of 3-1 strongly indicates an encounter with at least three goals. Dortmund's attacking strengths, particularly their desire for vertical play and Guirassy's clinical finishing, suggest they will be looking to score multiple times at home. While Atalanta boasts a strong defensive record, the absence of their key creative player may force them to take more risks going forward, potentially opening up the game further. The overall prediction of a high-scoring home win makes 'Over 2.5 Goals' a valuable betting angle.
More Soccer Odds
Affiliate Disclosure.
We are not a gambling or betting operator, but we receive a commission from these companies when we advertise their brands and refer customers to them (affiliate marketing). We provide information, odds information and links to websites of these companies. Some of the information made available on our site may be positioned as a result of a commission paid to us by a third party. We do not take or place bets/transactions and any information on Our Products is provided for entertainment purposes only.
