Atalanta vs Sturm Graz prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2023-11-08 20:00.
UEFA Europa League (UEL) Group D leaders Atalanta (W2, D1) will be hoping to get back to winning ways against Sturm Graz after losing to Serie A leaders Inter Milan 2-1 at the weekend. The Bergamaschi missed the chance to make it three wins from three a fortnight ago in Austria (2-2), but a victory here would guarantee them European action of some kind next calendar year.
That recent defeat to Inter not only marked Atalanta’s first home competitive defeat this season (W4, D1, L1), but also the first time Gian Piero Gasperini’s men conceded in front of their fans. However, with the record of only one goal conceded in their previous four home UEL group stage outings, La Dea should be confident of keeping another clean sheet.
While a 3-1 defeat against LASK on Sunday was hardly ideal preparation, Sturm Graz are travelling south with a balanced record (W1, D1, L1) knowing a defeat might complicate things for them, particularly as they currently hold an inferior head-to-head record against fellow challengers Sporting CP. They are at least better positioned than in previous UEL campaigns, as each of their previous four group stage appearances saw them prop up the group standings.
The visitors would love to emulate their only victory against an Italian opponent (D2, L3), which came in 2002/03 away to Lazio. Sturm could perhaps take inspiration from their only UEL victory this season, which once again came on the road at Raków, but that was only their third in their last 19 matches in European competition (D5, L11).
Players to watch: Gianluca Scamacca has contributed to each of Atalanta’s last four goals (G3, A1), whilst he netted after half-time in each of his three goalscoring appearances for La Dea. In contrast, Alexander Prass opened the scoring in the reverse fixture, with four of his last five competitive goals for Sturm coming before the break.
Hot stat: There have been four goals scored before the 15th minute across Atalanta’s last five games.