Ajax Amsterdam will look to recover from their opening UEFA Conference League defeat when they host Atalanta Bergamo on Thursday, 22 October 2026.
The Dutch side lost 2-1 to Hajduk Split in their first European match, while Atalanta began with a 3-1 victory over Pafos. Mahamad Sangare, presenter of the sports debate programme La VAR on Burkina info TV, expects an open contest and has identified “both teams to score” at 1.53 as the main betting option.
Ajax come into the match after restoring confidence with a 5-2 win over FC Groningen on 18 October. Their attack has shown it can score freely, but their defensive inconsistency remains a concern.
At home, Ajax will need to control the tempo without leaving space behind their back line. Oscar Gloukh, Davy Klaassen and Marcos Leonardo provide attacking quality and can create problems for the visitors, although the team has several absences and fitness doubts.
Kasper Dolberg, Anton Gaaei, Daley Blind and Steven Berghuis are among those unavailable or uncertain. Dolberg’s extended absence reduces the options in attack, while the defensive concerns could leave Ajax vulnerable to Atalanta’s quick transitions. Yves Bissouma is also ineligible because he was not registered on the UEFA list.
Atalanta have also shown attacking strength, scoring three goals against Venezia and three more against Pafos. They scored twice in their defeat by AC Milan, but their results have been less consistent, particularly away from home.
Under Maurizio Sarri, the Italian side are expected to rely on Marco Carnesecchi in goal, Davide Zappacosta and Raoul Bellanova on the flanks, and Ederson in midfield. Gianluca Scamacca, Charles De Ketelaere and Nikola Krstovic are the leading attacking options.
However, Isak Hien, Odilon Kossounou, Giorgio Scalvini, Sead Kolasinac, Franck Kessie, Giacomo Raspadori, Kamaldeen Sulemana and Pompei are reported unavailable or injured. The shortage of central defenders could leave Atalanta exposed against Ajax’s forward players.
The clubs have met twice in the Champions League, during the 2020-21 season. Atalanta drew 2-2 at home before winning 1-0 in Amsterdam, giving them one victory and one draw in the head-to-head record. Five goals were scored across those two matches.
The available prices include Ajax to win at 2.2, both teams to score at 1.53, and both sides to score at least two goals at 4.00. Ajax to win at least one half is priced at 1.57.
Sangare’s other selections are more than 1.5 goals at 1.148, Atalanta or draw in the double chance market at 1.70, and over 7.5 corners at 1.69. Scamacca is priced at 3.00 to score, while the suggested correct score is 2-3 at 26.
The odds can change.