Verdict: Atalanta wins
Best odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Roof bed
With a place in this year’s Europa League final at stake on Thursday evening, Atalanta hosts Marseille in Bergamo.
Atalanta
Starting with the hosts, who claimed a famous Europa League victory last month when they eked out a 3-1 aggregate victory over English giants Liverpool, Atalanta finds that the mood in their camp is at a red-hot peak. Although La Dea may have missed out on a chance to take a lead in the first leg in France last week as they settled for a 1-1 draw, Gian Piero Gasperini’s men should feel they have a real chance here. The Bergamo side have suffered just one defeat in their last seven appearances in all competitions and will certainly be looking forward to returning to home soil on Thursday evening. Atalanta are considered a standout contender here and have lost just two of their last 16 consecutive showdowns at the Gewiss Stadium – a run dating back to November 25.
Team news
With Atalanta missing last week and struggling with related calf injuries, Atalanta will once again be without the duo Emil Holm and Rafael Toloi. However, after a suspension in the first leg at the Stade Velodrome, Swedish international Isak Hien will return to Gasperini’s squad.
Former West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca opened the scoring in France last week and has now scored six goals in his nine Europa League games this season. He will take charge of La Dea on Thursday evening. Former Leicester star Ademola Lookman, who has scored eight goals for club and country since the start of the new year, is also hoping for a full return.
Marseilles
As for the visitors, Marseille might have staged a comeback on home soil last week when they left the Stade Velodrome with a 1-1 draw in the first leg, but the French side have continued to struggle with consistency this season. Jean-Louis Gasset has been under intense scrutiny and has seen his dejected side manage just two wins in all competitions in their previous ten appearances. The Phocaeans opened April with a routine 3-1 defeat against Lille and have also gained a reputation for their glaring defensive problems. Marseille have only kept one clean sheet in recent months and will certainly be prepared for a tough test here. It should also be emphasized that the former Ivory Coast coach scored twelve goals for his team in the last five away games alone.
Team news
Marseille, all of whom are still dealing with related long-term injury problems, will travel to Bergamo on Thursday evening without the trio of Bilal Nadir, Pedro Ruiz and former Nantes midfielder Valentin Rongier. However, 30-year-old Samuel Gigot, who served a one-match ban at the Stade Velodrome last week, could be back in full swing here.
Former Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will lead the Marseille side on Thursday evening as he continues a real success story this season, scoring ten goals in his 12 Europa League games. Former Inter Milan star Joaquin Correa could replace Ismaila Sarr in midweek.
Key factors to consider
- When Atalanta and Marseille met for a first-leg showdown last week, the opponents played to a 1-1 draw in France on Thursday.
- La Dea have lost just two of their last 16 consecutive home games in all competitions – a streak that dates back to November 25th.
- Marseille have kept just one clean sheet in their last 10 appearances in all competitions.
- The Phocaeans have conceded twelve goals in their last five away showdowns at the Stade Velodrome alone.
- Former West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca has scored six goals in his nine Europa League appearances this season.
Diploma
After routing Premier League giants Liverpool with an impressive 3-1 aggregate win last month, Atalanta is looking to make another statement here. La Dea are looking forward to returning to Bergamo on Thursday evening and have only suffered two defeats in front of their own fans since the end of November. Therefore, La Dea senses a golden opportunity here. As Marseille continue to be known for their long struggles away from the Stade Velodrome, we are backing Atalanta to book their ticket to the Europa League final in midweek.
Verdict: Atalanta wins
Best odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Roof bed