Ajax need to kickstart their Conference League campaign when Atalanta travel to Amsterdam on Thursday night.
The Dutch giants are already under pressure after suffering a 2-1 defeat away to Hajduk Split in their opening league-phase match, while Atalanta made a winning start by beating Pafos 3-1.
Michel's side bounced back from their disappointing defeat in Split by putting five goals past Groningen in an entertaining 5-2 Eredivisie success at the weekend.
Julian Brandt and Jorthy Mokio both struck twice as Ajax rediscovered their attacking rhythm after a difficult run of results dating back to the end of last season.
However, defensive vulnerabilities remain a concern for the Dutch side, who have conceded eight goals in their last five matches and are yet to keep a clean sheet during that run.
Atalanta travel to the Netherlands after suffering a dramatic 3-2 defeat away to AC Milan on Sunday in Serie A.
Maurizio Sarri's men found themselves 3-0 down before mounting a late comeback through Gianluca Gaetano and Nikola Krstovic, while goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi also saved a penalty.
With neither side showing much defensive solidity but both possessing plenty of attacking quality, goals could be the order of the day at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
Ajax v Atalanta Tips Summary
Best Bet - Over 2.5 goals & Both teams to score - Yes @ 4/5
Alternative Bet - Davy Klaassen to score or assist @ 13/8
Bet Builder - Over 3 goals, Over 9 corners & Gianluca Scamacca to score or assist @ 13/2
Ajax v Atalanta Prediction
Best Bet: Over 2.5 goals & both teams to score - Yes @ 4/5
Everything points towards goals at both ends in Amsterdam with Ajax having scored 14 goals across their last five matches and Atalanta having hit eight in three games since the last international break.
The Dutch giants showed their attacking quality against Groningen as Brandt thrived in an advanced central role behind striker Tolu Arokodare, while Davy Klaassen continues to provide a significant goal threat from midfield.
However, Ajax's 2-1 defeat at Hajduk Split highlighted some familiar defensive frailties, with a costly mistake at the back ultimately proving decisive.
Atalanta are similarly vulnerable defensively. The Bergamo outfit have conceded nine goals in their last five matches and have not kept a clean sheet since August.
Sarri's side were exposed repeatedly during the first hour of their defeat to Milan at San Siro and could easily have shipped more goals before eventually fighting back.
With both teams regularly finding the net but struggling to keep opponents out, backing both teams to score with at least three goals in the game looks the standout selection.
Alternative Bet: Davy Klaassen to score or assist @ 13/8
Klaassen played a huge part in ensuring Ajax qualified for continental football this season with goals at each stage of their Eredivisie European competition play-offs against Groningen and Utrecht last May.
And the experienced midfielder remains the team’s most reliable European goal threat after bagging his fifth goal in six Conference League games, including qualifiers, against Hajduk Split last week.
Klaassen, who is the club's top scorer in all competitions this term, should start in midfield and could benefit from Atalanta’s defenders paying more attention to the in-form Brandt or Arokodare.
Ajax v Atalanta Bet Builder Tip
Over 3 goals
Over 9 corners
Gianluca Scamacca to score or assist
Pays 13/2
Ajax's last five matches have produced 22 goals, while Atalanta's last five have generated 18.
The Dutch side have scored five against Groningen and five against Willem II in recent weeks but have also conceded multiple goals in three of their last five outings.
Atalanta's Conference League opener against Pafos finished 3-1, while Sunday's clash with Milan ended in a chaotic 3-2 defeat, so back over three goals in the contest.
There should also be a significant number of corners in this clash as both teams like to utilise wide areas.
In this competition, Ajax have won 60 corners in seven games, an average of about 8.6, and Atalanta have won 15 in three, or five per game.
Gianluca Scamacca also appeals in the goalscorer markets after he hit the back of the net against Pafos in Atalanta's Conference League opener.
With Giacomo Raspadori sidelined through injury, the Italian striker should shoulder much of his side’s attacking responsibility again.
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Key Match Stats
Ajax have scored 14 goals in their last five matches
The Dutch giants have conceded eight goals across their last five fixtures
Ajax have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last seven games
Atalanta have conceded 11 goals in their last six matches
Both teams have scored with over 2.5 goals in all seven of Ajax’s European games this season
Davy Klaassen has scored five European goals this season
Gianluca Scamacca had five shots and scored in Atalanta's victory over Pafos
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
