Bet of the Day

Thursday (formerly Wednesday) Football Tips: Expect cards, shots and goals in Bergamo

Davide Zappacosta
Davide Zappacosta: Should be forward in his wing-back role for Atalanta

"It's a bet he's landed in nine of 17 starts this season, including in that 2-2 draw in Spain. Atalanta will need to attack and getting their wing-backs forward looks sure to happen."

After starting the week with back-to-back winners, our football props column has an 8/1 Bet Builder for Thursday's rearranged Atalanta v Villarreal Champions League showdown...

This is a big game in the Champions League on Wednesday night - Atalanta must win to progress to the knockout stages, while Villarreal only require a draw.

With a competitive contest in store, there looks ample of opportunity to put together a tasty-priced Bet Builder.

I'll start with both teams to score, something which has landed in 11 of Atalanta's last 13 games.

Gian Piero Gasperini's side have long played attacking football and have been happy to win end-to-end games. Here, the group situation looks perfectly suited to their style.

Villarreal's stats in this vector are not so good, although that's hardly surprising given Spain has produced relatively few goals this season. It's perhaps better to look at their Champions League games where they've seen BTTS land in three of five, including the reverse fixture which ended 2-2.

Next, it's onto the shots markets where defender Pau Torres is usually good for 1+ shot. He's managed this in his last nine games for club and country and 12 of 17 overall for Villarreal this season, providing great aerial threat on set plays.

For Atalanta, Davide Zappacosta is where the value lies in the 2+ shots market. It's a bet he's landed in nine of 17 starts this season, including in that 2-2 draw in Spain. Atalanta will need to attack and getting their wing-backs forward looks sure to happen.

Finally, I'm happy to add over 4.5 cards given Anthony Taylor is the referee.

The Englishman has a strong record for dishing out cards in his European games. He's managed over 4.5 cards in 18 of his last 25 UEFA club appointments.

Atalanta have received the sixth-most cards in Serie A and while Villarreal's record isn't so good, the prize at stake here means I'd expect the likes of card regulars Etienne Capoue, Francis Coquelin and Raul Albiol to be getting stuck in.

Recommended bets

Column 2021/22 P/L

Staked: 111pts
Returned: 144.82pts
P/L: +33.82pts

Get a Free £5 Bet on Multiples Every Day!

Place £20 worth of Multiples or Bet Builders over the course of a day, and, after the bets have settled, you'll get a free £5 bet to use on Multiples or Bet Builders. Bets must settle within 48 hours. No opt-in required, T&Cs apply.

New Customers can get £50 in free bets!

Available to new customers only. Place a £10 bet on the Betfair Sportsbook and you will receive £50 in free bets to use on Bet Builders and Accas! Opt-in here and T&cs apply.

Prices quoted in copy are correct at time of publication but liable to change.