How will the defending champions start the tournament?
On Matchday 1 of the UEFA Champions League, French defending champions Paris Saint Germain welcome Atalanta Bergamo to their home ground, the Parc des Princes. This is only the second meeting between the two teams since the 2020 CL quarter-finals, which PSG won 2-1.
Looking at the favorites for the 2025/26 Champions League season, you can see that PSG in particular is once again one of the hottest favorites to win back-to-back titles. Accordingly, it comes as no surprise that PSG is rated as the clear favorite to win against Atalanta Bergamo.
Paris will have to do without superstars Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue, who are both out with injuries, for their Champions League opener. However, this did not prevent them from securing their fourth consecutive win of the season at the weekend. They won 2-0, with Bradley Barcola scoring both goals. In our PSG vs. Atalanta Bergamo prediction, we are again betting on a goal from the Frenchman.
Atalanta Bergamo has had a mediocre start to the league so far and is in seventh place in the table with five points after three matchdays. After two draws against Pisa and Parma, they secured their first win last weekend, beating Lecce 4-1. De Ketelare scored two goals in the match. Nevertheless, the best betting providers have clearly defined roles in the PSG vs. Atalanta Bergamo odds.
In our PSG vs. Atalanta Bergamo betting tip, we expect both teams to score, as both teams have scored at least once in each of their season games so far. Bet365 in particular offers great value in this regard. It’s worth downloading the Bet365 app and taking advantage of the Bet365 deposit bonus.
PSG vs. Atalanta Bergamo AI prediction
Our artificial intelligence BETSIE rates the visitors’ chances of winning at 15.7 percent. This rating is higher than the bookmakers’ assessment (12.5 percent) and allows you to place a value bet, which you can easily secure with a no-deposit freebet.
PSG – Statistics & current form
Paris Saint-Germain will be playing only the second competitive match in the club’s history against Atalanta, after the French side won 2-1 in the quarterfinals of the 2019/20 season. PSG’s recent record against Italian teams also speaks for itself: only one of their last eleven encounters has been lost, namely against AC Milan in 2023, while their last Champions League game ended in a historic 5-0 final victory over Inter – the highest triumph in a final of the competition.
The role of defending champions is further reinforced by the statistic that only one of the last 30 Champions League winners lost their opening game in the following season. In terms of the PSG vs. Atalanta Bergamo betting odds, we expect the defending champions to win their opening game.
The defense seems secure
On the sidelines, PSG also has one of the most successful coaches in the Champions League in Luis Enrique: he has won 64.5 percent of his 62 games to date – the best record of any coach with at least 50 appearances.
The Parisian club also set standards at the individual level last season. Right-back Achraf Hakimi created 36 chances from open play, more than any other defender since records began in 2003/04. Goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier was equally impressive, ranking among the best keepers in the 2024/25 group stage with a +3.77 save rating.
With only 10 goals conceded and 13.77 expected goals, he was even the best goalkeeper under 30 in this statistic – a clear indication of the defensive stability and individual class in the PSG squad. If you believe that PSG will keep a clean sheet, you can secure PSG vs. Atalanta Bergamo odds of 2.30.
Atalanta Bergamo – Statistics & current form
Atalanta goes into this match with high ambitions, even though coach Ivan Juric is making his Champions League debut. His international experience to date is limited to four games in the UEFA Europa League with Roma last season, which ended with one win, two draws, and one defeat.
Nevertheless, Atalanta already made a statement in last season’s Champions League: in the group stage, the team scored 20 goals, conceded only six, and achieved a goal difference of +14 – the second-best record behind Barcelona. Therefore, in our PSG vs. Atalanta Bergamo prediction, we are again expecting both teams to score.
De Ketelaere shines
The standout player was Charles De Ketelaere, who was directly involved in nine goals in ten appearances (four goals, five assists). He surpassed the previous Belgian record in a Champions League season, which was held by Kevin De Bruyne with eight goal contributions. For another goal from the Belgian, you can find PSG vs. Atalanta Bergamo odds of 4.90.
Atalanta also impressed on the wings: Davide Zappacosta not only led the competition statistics for successful crosses (16) and chances created from crosses (9), but also provided five assists. This made him the most effective assist provider among all defenders, alongside PSG’s Hakimi.
Atalanta therefore not only brings offensive power through De Ketelaere and Zappacosta, but also a remarkable team balance, which gives the Italians additional clout in the upcoming duel with the defending champions.
PSG – Atalanta Bergamo Head-to-head record
The only previous meeting between the two teams took place in the quarterfinals of the 2020 Champions League in Lisbon. PSG won that game 2-1, scoring in the 90th and 93rd minutes.
PSG – Atalanta Bergamo Tip
PSG has lost only once in its last eleven matches against Italian teams, which is why we expect the defending champions to win despite the absences of Doue and Dembele. Of the last 30 CL title holders, only one lost their opening game. Based on Atalanta’s successful group stage last year and their accuracy in front of goal this season, both teams should score again and PSG will win – with at least three goals being scored.
Individually, Barcola proved his accuracy at the weekend, scoring twice, and now has to compensate for the absence of the two stars in the Champions League as well. That’s why we think the PSG vs. Atalanta Bergamo tip for another goal from the French winger is an interesting one.
