Prediction: Atalanta vs Bayer Leverkusen

Verdict: Bayer Leverkusen win

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

With this year’s Europa League crown up for grabs on Wednesday night, Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen will meet at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Atalanta

Starting with Atalanta, although Atalanta might have suffered Coppa Italia heartbreak at the hands of Juventus last week as they suffered a 1-0 loss in Rome, La Dea have continued on a real purple patch over the past month. Making an immediate return to winning ways over the weekend and picking up some perfect momentum as they secured a 2-0 victory away at Lecce, Gian Piero Gasperini’s men will be relishing their trip to Dublin on Wednesday night. Springing what was an almighty Europa League upset last month as they secured a famous 3-1 aggregate win against English giants Liverpool, Atalanta have now won four of their previous five appearances across all competitions. Losing just one of their last nine straight outings, the Bergamo-based outfit will also be excited by their most recent meeting against Leverkusen. Landing an action-packed 4-2 aggregate victory when they met the German champions back in March 2022, Gasperini will be desperate for his side to produce a repeat upset here.

Team News

Both missing last week’s Coppa Italia final through respective injury issues, Atalanta are once again set to be without the duo of Emil Holm and former Arsenal defender Sead Kolasinac on Wednesday night. However, despite serving a one-match suspension against Lecce over the weekend, 26-year-old Teun Koopmeiners should make a full return here.

Notching six goals in his 10 Europa League appearances this season and continuing to receive a string of plaudits, Italy international Gianluca Scamacca will spearhead La Dea’s charge in Dublin. Cementing his spot as Atalanta’s number-one choice during this year’s European adventure, Juan Musso should keep his spot between the sticks.

Bayer Leverkusen

As for Bayer Leverkusen, cruising their way to a maiden Bundesliga title this season, the German giants have already cemented their spot as Europe’s ultimate surprise package. Remarkably not suffering a single defeat across any competition and already underlining their status as domestic invincibles, Xabi Alonso’s men are now just 90 minutes away from officially be crowned double-champions. Signing off their Bundesliga fairytale with a 2-1 victory at home against Augsburg over the weekend, the one-time Real Madrid midfielder finds the mood in his camp at an iconic high. Booking their spot in the final of this season’s Europa League earlier in the month as they secured an action-packed 4-2 aggregate victory against Roma, Leverkusen have gained a fearsome reputation from across the continent. Likewise, winning all of their last three showdowns away from the BayArena by an aggregate score of 12-1, Alonso will be calling on his record-breaking squad to make a one more heavyweight statement.

Team News

Ahead of their iconic trip to Dublin on Wednesday night, Bayer Leverkusen have reported a clean bill of health and have no fresh injury concerns or suspensions to worry about here. Making a timely return from a minor knock against Augsburg over the weekend and getting a half hour cameo under his belt, German sensation Florian Wirtz will play a leading role in Ireland.

Now finding the net in three Bundesliga appearances on the bounce, Nigerian marksmen Victor Boniface will be hoping to spearhead Alonso’s charge here. Handed a deserved rest on Saturday afternoon, former Arsenal star Granit Xhaka will certainly make a full return here and partner Exequiel Palacios at the heart of Leverkusen’s midfield.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen last met in Europa League action during the 2021/22 campaign, La Dea collected a 4-2 aggregate victory.
• The German record-breakers have not suffered a single defeat across any competition this season.
• Atalanta have suffered just a single defeat from any of their previous nine appearances across all competitions.
• Bayer Leverkusen have won all of their previous three showdowns away from the BayArena by an aggregate score of 12-1.
• Former West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca has recorded 11 goals across all competitions since the start of March.

Conclusion

While Atalanta might have continued on a real Europa League fairytale this season, La Dea will be bracing themselves for a huge challenge when they arrive in Dublin on Wednesday night. With Bayer Leverkusen enjoying what has been a stunning fairytale this season, the German trailblazers are just 90 minutes away from making even more history here. Cruising their way to a maiden Bundesliga title and not suffering a single defeat across any competition so far this year, we are expecting Alonso’s men to be crowned double-champions in midweek.

Verdict: Bayer Leverkusen win

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Olympusbet