Marseille vs Atalanta prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2024-05-01 19:00.
[p]After a spectacular set of UEFA Europa League (UEL) quarter-finals, Marseille lock horns with Atalanta for the very first time, aiming to maintain a 100% record of progressing from UEFA Cup/UEL semi-final ties. The French outfit are a perfect three from three in that regard but have fallen short in each of those finals as they hope to give themselves another crack at lifting major European silverware for just the second time. [/p]
[p]Head coach Jean-Louis Gasset will know the importance of claiming a first-leg lead here, which will require a performance worthy of ending Marseille’s seven-game winless streak against Italian clubs (D2, L5). The Phocaeans’ ace comes in the form of having the Stade Vélodrome faithful right behind them, since they’ve cheered their team to seven successive UEL knockout-round home wins, and have witnessed just two defeats in Marseille’s last 18 European matches on their own patch across all UEFA competitions (W12, D4). [/p]
[p]That sounds like a daunting test for Atalanta to face, but it’ll be hard to intimidate a side who recently walked away from Anfield as 3-0 victors, providing the platform to knock Liverpool out at the quarter-final stage. A 1-0 loss at home in the second leg didn’t spoil the party, as they celebrated reaching only their second-ever European semi-final, the first of which came way back in the 1987/88 season. [/p]
[p]Since that defeat to Liverpool in Bergamo, La Dea haven’t put a foot wrong, winning each of their last three games, and a Gian Piero Gasperini masterclass could be impending with his side in such sweet form. Hitting the road seemingly further increases their chances of success, since they’re currently unbeaten in their last eight UEL away matches (W5, D3).[/p]
[p]Players to watch: All eyes will be on the UEL’s all-time top scorer, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has netted the last goal in four of his six scoring appearances for Marseille in the competition this season. He’ll be vying for attention with the in-form Gianluca Scamacca, who’ll be well rested after being given a break at the weekend off the back of ten goal contributions in as many games (G8, A2).[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Atalanta have lost the first leg just twice in their last 16 two-legged ties in UEFA competition (W6, D8).[/p]
[p]Â [/p]