Atalanta should prove to be too strong for a Celtic side that have a pretty miserable away record in this competition. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side will consider themselves unlucky not to have beaten Arsenal on matchday one. The Serie A side have since produced an excellent display to claim a 3-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk on neutral territory. Atalanta have gone on to win their subsequent two league games, so they should be brimming with confidence ahead of their clash with Celtic this midweek.

In contrast, the Hoops head to Italy off the back of a 2-2 draw with Aberdeen on Saturday. Brendan Rodgers’ side don’t appear to be playing with the same swagger that they started the season with, and their confidence is likely to be fragile after leaking seven away at Borussia Dortmund. The Scottish champions’ already difficult task is made even harder by the fact that they are are missing a few key players through injury

With both teams expected to play on the front foot from the off on Wednesday evening, backing both teams to score looks worth getting behind in Bergamo. While Atalanta have yet to concede a goal in two Champions League outings this term, their backline has been breached in six of their opening eight Serie A matches of the season, with BTTS clicking in five of those contests.

With Gasperini’s team being far from bulletproof at the back, they could struggle to silence free-scoring Celtic this midweek. Brendan Rodgers’ side have struck in each of their 12 matches across all competitions this season, including five against Slovan Bratislava and one away at Borussia Dortmund. What’s more, both teams have scored in five of Celtic’s previous six matches in all competitions.

Celtic are unlikely to sacrifice their attacking principles on Wednesday evening, making over 2.5 goals an appealing option. The Bhoys’ opening two Champions League games have generated a combined total of 14 goals. On top of this, eight of Celtic’s 10 domestic league and cup fixtures this season have featured a minimum of three match strikes. It’s also worth pointing out that four of Celtic’s six Champions League group stage games last season delivered over 2.5 goals.

It’s been a similar story in Serie A for Atalanta this term, with six of their opening eight league games of the season breaking the over 2.5 goal barrier. That was also the case in their matchday two win over Shakhtar Donetsk.

Look to Callum McGregor to commit a minimum of one foul at the Gewiss Stadium on Wednesday evening. The Celtic captain has given away a free-kick in three of his last five Scottish Premiership appearances, including each of his last two. He was also guilty of three offences during Celtic’s 5-1 mauling of Slovan Bratislava on matchday one. McGregor also regularly found himself on the referee’s radar in the Scottish Premiership last season, averaging one foul per 90.

With McGregor expected to be deployed as the deepest of Celtic’s three midfielders, he should be kept busy in Bergamo this midweek. He is likely going to be tasked with trying to keep Lazar Samardzic quiet. The Atalanta attacking midfielder was fouled during his first Champions League start of the season against Shakhtar Donetsk.

Ademola Lookman will be a massive threat to Celtic’s backline on Wednesday evening. The Atalanta ace scored and chipped in with an assist for good measure on matchday two against Shakhtar Donetsk. The Nigerian international has also notched up two goals and two assists over his opening five appearances in Serie A this season. As such, he looks like a prime candidate to register a goal involvement against a Celtic side who have conceded eight goals across their opening two Champions League games of the season.

While Brendan Rodgers’ side have started the season strongly, their performances domestically since being shredded 7-1 by Borussia Dortmund have been unconvincing. They have looked defensively suspect in their last two Scottish Premiership games with both Ross County and Aberdeen – something both Atalanta and Lookman can exploit.

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Berat Djimsiti holds plenty of appeal to commit a minimum of one foul on Wednesday evening. The 31-year-old sinned twice during Atalanta’s 3-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk. He has also been a relatively frequent fouler in Serie A this season, having committed at least one misdemeanour in four of his seven outings so far. Djimsiti also got on the wrong side of the referee during this year’s UEFA Super Cup Final.

The Albanian defender is likely to come up in direct opposition to Celtic speed merchant Daizen Maeda. The Japanese livewire has scored in each of Celtic’s opening two Champions League games of the season. He also earned his side a free-kick away at Borussia Dortmund on matchday two.

Celtic’s relentless attacking style of play often leads to them drawing cards from their opponents. Slovan Bratislava were shown three yellow cards against Celtic on matchday one and Borussia Dortmund went into the book twice despite wiping the floor with the Glasgow giants. In fact, nine of the Hoops’ 12 opponents this season have been shown two or more match cards. With that in mind, Atalanta look worth siding with to follow suit.

The Black and Blues picked up two bookings when beating Shakhtar Donetsk, not to mention they are averaging a shade under two yellow cards per-game in Serie A this season. Gasperini’s side have shown over the years that they won’t hesitate to make a tactical foul when required, and a couple of those may be needed given the threat that Celtic will carry on the counter-attack.

Celtic earned themselves four corner kicks away at Borussia Dortmund, so three or more should be within range when they pay Atalanta a visit this midweek. Brendan Rodgers side are well-renowned for being prolific when it comes to racking up corners. They hit 11 in their 5-1 win over Slovan Bratislava on matchday one.

Last time out in the Scottish Premiership, the Hoops amassed a whopping 18 corners when drawing 2-2 with second-placed Aberdeen. Their seasonal average in the Scottish top-flight this term is now in excess of 9.5 per-game. Thus, a minimum of three Celtic corners merits support at the price on offer. It’s also worth pointing out that Atalanta conceded exactly three flag-kicks on route to defeating Shakhtar Donetsk 3-0 on matchday two.