PSG - A trap called Atalanta

PSG fans must have thanked their lucky star when their team drew Atalanta in the next draw of the UCL. The Italian minnows were considered to be the Cinderella left in the tournament and the French could be heard voicing an "Enfin" to signal a new beginning or an end to their miserable and luckless past campaigns.

Fast-forward a few months later and the draw suddenly does not look so favourable for the French champions. Atalanta has been rocking towards the end of the Italian championship where they finished a very honourable third. More importantly, they have proven to be a match for any team in Italy and with a few more matches to spare, would have given Juventus a run for their money in the title run-in. Well organized and blessed with a potent attack that boasted the best goal difference in the Serie A, they cannot be considered minnows at this stage.

PSG are still going as favourites because of their pedigree and talented squad on paper. There are some cracks to consider though. Their superstar striker Mbappe will play but his level of fitness is questionable as he has just recovered from an ankle injury. Without him at his best, the potency of the PSG attack is highly diminished. But more importantly, the team might be missing a run-in of seriously competitive matches compared to their Italian counter-parts. Unlike most other major leagues, the French Ligue 1 was stopped with PSG handed the title. Their lack of competition showed when they had trouble overcoming the likes of St Etienne and Lyon in their last matches. That is not to say they won't beat Atalanta but it will just not be a straightforward affair.

At current odds, I see value favouring in some way Atalanta. For the risky, it might be worth side outright with Atalanta to go through. Or have them as a draw-no-bet option or with a 1-goal advantage on the asian handicap market. I find PSG odds too short at all levels.