UEFA Europa League
On Thursday night, Atalanta and Marseille go head-to-head at the Gewiss Stadium in the Europa League semi-final second leg. The first leg in France ended 1-1, so the tie is still very finely balanced.
Atalanta continued their unbeaten run against SalernitanaThe Nerazzurri’s recent solid form continued with a 2-1 win at Salernitana, which made Gian Piero Gasperini’s team unbeaten in five games in all competitions, having recorded four wins and a draw.
The victory last time out in Serie A boosted Atalanta’s chances of claiming a Champions League spot for next season. However, winning the Europa League would see the boys from Bergamo book their place in Europe’s elite competition next season.
The first-leg draw means that Atalanta has lost just one of their last six games in the Europa League.
Atalanta has a decent recent home record in the competition, winning five of their last eight games at the Gewiss Stadium. Their recent outings in the Europa League have been low-scoring, with under 2.5 goals scored in five of their previous six matches.
The first leg made Marseille five games unbeatenOM haven’t played since the first leg, which made the French team unbeaten in their last five games in all competitions.
Marseille's recent Europa League record is inconsistent, with just three wins in their last eight games. Their recent outings in the Europa League have been relatively high-scoring, with over 2.5 goals scored in five of the previous seven matches.
Marseille have struggled on their travels in the Europa League. They are winless in the last four away games, having suffered three defeats and picked up just one draw.
One of the main reasons for OM’s recent poor away record in the Europa League is their leaky defence, conceding at least two goals in their last three games away from home.
What am I backing?Atalanta are in good form, and I am backing the Nerazzurri to stretch their unbeaten run to six games with a victory in this encounter.
