Atalanta vs Sporting CP prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2023-11-29 17:45.
Atalanta can already start preparing for the knockout rounds of this season's UEFA Europa League (UEL), as their Group D dominance until now has afforded them qualification ahead of the last two rounds. The Italians are sitting pretty at the top of the group with ten points after their 1-0 win over Sturm Graz, although they have been brought back down to earth in Serie A since, having drawn 1-1 with Udinese before losing 2-1 to Napoli at the weekend.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s men still have work to do if they want to remain at the summit of Group D come the conclusion of the group stages, especially with opponents Sporting CP just three points behind. Nicknamed The Goddess, they got the better of their Portuguese counterparts with a 2-1 win last month, and will be confident they can stave off Sporting again having lost just two of their last eight home European matches (W5, D1).
Sporting will be looking to close the gap on the leaders and simultaneously open or maintain their own three-point lead over third-placed Sturm Graz, who they face on the final matchday. Failure to pick up any points here could result in a straight shootout between themselves and Sturm come the last round, although they do possess the H2H advantage having beaten the Austrian side 2-1 on the opening day.
That win could prove vital should Sporting’s poor fortune when travelling to Italy continue, since they’ve never won in any of their 15 prior visits (D3, L12). The Lions will be hopeful of breaking that duck as they have been relatively successful hunters on their recent continental ventures, losing just two of their last nine European away games (W3, D4).
Players to watch: Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman usually comes alive after half-time, since four of his last seven goals have been scored between the 50th and 60th minutes. As for Sporting, a pair of Pedro Gonçalves penalties helped them beat Raków in their last UEL match, extending his unbeaten run when scoring for his club to 23 (W19, D4).
Hot stat: Nine of Sporting’s last 11 matches have seen both teams score.