UEFA Europa League
On Thursday night, Atalanta and Sporting CP clash at the Gewiss Stadium in the Europa League last-16 second leg. It’s all to play for in this second leg after the first leg in Lisbon ended 1-1.
Atalanta needs a confidence boostThe Nerazzurri head into the second leg of this tie on the back of a five-game winless run in all competitions. Last time out, Gian Piero Gasperini’s team drew 2-2 at Juventus.
The draw has kept the boys from Bergamo just about in touch with the teams in the Serie A Champions League spots.
Despite an underwhelming recent run of general form, Atalanta are unbeaten in their previous eight games in the Europa League, having recorded four wins and three draws.
Their recent European games have been low-scoring, with under 2.5 goals scored in three of their last four outings.
Atalanta have a solid recent home record in the Europa League, having won four of their last six games on home soil.
Sporting’s good form extended against AroucaThe club from the Portuguese capital is unbeaten in 11 matches in all competitions, having recorded eight wins and three draws. Last time out, they recorded a 3-0 win at Arouca.
Sporting has been difficult to beat in the Europa League of late. They are unbeaten in seven games, recording four wins and three draws.
The visitors have kept just one clean sheet in their previous 13 matches in the Europa League.
Ruben Amorim’s team is unbeaten in four away games in the competition. However, they have won just two of their last six games in the Europa League over 90 minutes.
Sporting haven’t kept a clean sheet in their previous six away games in the competition.
What am I backing?The first leg was a pretty even affair, and I expect this game to follow the same trend, so the bet I am backing is the draw.
