Ajax vs Atalanta Prediction and Betting Odds

Ajax have scored 19 goals in their last six matches and still lost in Europe, falling 2-1 to Hajduk Split on matchday one.

Atalanta arrive in Amsterdam with three Conference League points from their 3-1 win over Pafos, but they have also lost four of their last six games and travel with eight players unavailable. It all points to an open game at the Johan Cruijff ArenA.

Before we get to our full preview, here are the key details:

• Competition: UEFA Conference League, League Phase Matchday 2
• Venue: Johan Cruijff ArenA, Amsterdam
• Date: Friday, 23 October 2026 (AEDT)
• Start Time: 6:00am AEDT
• Broadcast: Stan Sport

Ajax vs Atalanta Form and Head to Head

Ajax have been rebuilding under Spanish coach Míchel, and the goals have been flowing, with 5-1 wins over Fortuna Sittard and Willem II and a 5-2 thrashing of Groningen on the weekend, when Julian Brandt and Jorthy Mokio both scored twice.

The worry is at the other end, because Ajax have conceded in every one of their last six matches, including home draws with Excelsior and NEC.

Atalanta have had a rough start under Maurizio Sarri. Back-to-back 3-1 home wins over Venezia and Pafos sit between Serie A defeats to Roma, Cagliari, Juventus and, most recently, a 3-2 loss at AC Milan, leaving La Dea in mid-table. Like Ajax, they've conceded in each of their last six.

The only previous meetings came in the 2020/21 Champions League group stage. Ajax led 2-0 at half-time in Bergamo before Atalanta fought back for a 2-2 draw, and Luis Muriel's late winner in Amsterdam then sent Atalanta through at Ajax's expense.

Ajax vs Atalanta Team News

Ajax will again be without striker Kasper Dolberg, who faces a long layoff with a knee injury picked up on international duty, while Steven Berghuis, Daley Blind, Anton Gaaei and Caio Henrique have all missed recent games, and Simon Adingra is also on the injury list.

Atalanta's list is longer. Isak Hien and Odilon Kossounou are on long layoffs, Giacomo Raspadori is out after getting injured against Pafos, Franck Kessié, Giorgio Scalvini and Kamaldeen Sulemana are all doubts, and Sead Kolasinac was forced off injured at San Siro.

That leaves Sarri with a thin defence, although Gianluca Scamacca, who scored against Pafos, should lead the line.

Ajax vs Atalanta Betting Markets

The head to head market is tight. Ajax have home advantage and are scoring freely, while Atalanta have more class in the side, so the draw deserves serious consideration in the match result market.

The goals markets are where this fixture gets interesting. Neither side has kept a clean sheet in six games, both attacks are in form, and Atalanta's patched up back line makes both teams to score and the overs worth a look.

In the player markets, Brandt and Scamacca stand out in anytime goalscorer betting given their recent output.

For the latest Ajax vs Atalanta odds and markets, check out our dedicated Conference League odds page here at Sportsbet.

Ajax vs Atalanta Prediction: Our Pick

Our pick: Both teams to score

Picking a winner here is tricky, but backing goals at both ends is much easier to justify. 

Ajax have found the net 19 times in their last six matches and conceded in all six, and Atalanta have also leaked goals in every one of their last six while scoring three times in each of their last two wins.

Atalanta's injuries strengthen the case. With Hien, Kossounou and possibly Kolasinac all missing, Brandt, Mokio and the Ajax front line should find space, while Scamacca and Charles De Ketelaere have enough quality to punish an Ajax defence that has looked shaky all season. 

The last time these clubs met in Bergamo, it finished 2-2.

The risk is a cagey game, with Sarri's side happy to sit deep and hold out for a point on the road. Even so, both defences have struggled too much lately to expect a clean sheet.