Josip Ilicic anytime goalscorer odds look well worth a wager as Atalanta travel to Valencia with a commanding aggregate lead for their Champions League last 16 second leg match on Tuesday.
The Italian club have been a revelation in Europe’s elite club competition this term and are 4-1 up in this tie.
In Ilicic, they have an experienced Slovenia international who has enjoyed a real renaissance of late.
He has been prolific for Atalanta, scoring 15 times in Serie A this season. Ilicic also has eight in his last eight club outings and netted in the first leg.
Gian Piero Gaspeini – the coach once ridiculed for lasting just five games at Inter Milan – has certainly brought the best out of the 32-year-old in recent weeks.
The Atalanta boss was named Serie A coach of the year for his magnificent achievement of guiding these relative underdogs into the Champions League.
That adventure has seen them draw with Manchester City, beat Dinamo Zagreb and win at Shakhtar Donetsk during the group stage before scalping Valencia.
Why Ilicic anytime goalscorer looks your best bet
All the while Ilicic has been impressing off the front. Against a porous Los Che defence, who have conceded nine goals in their last four games, he looks like he could get further change out of them.
It’s why Ilicic anytime goalscorer odds of 6/4 with SportNation appeal, given his current purple patch.
Valencia are in no form at all for the visit of overachievers Atalanta, managing just one win in seven across all the competitions. The visitors to the Mestalla, meanwhile, are on a run of four consecutive victories.
One team is in fine form, but the hosts aren’t and yet they must chase this game to have any hope of rescuing the tie. That could create openings which Ilicic is wily enough to exploit.
As Atalanta have only failed to score once all season, their Bosnian-born Slovenia star can continue his fine run in front of goal while Los Che take chances.
Bet of the Day: 6/4 with SportNation, Josip Ilicic anytime goalscorer odds in Valencia v Atalanta.
