Prediction: Atalanta vs Marseille

Verdict: Atalanta win

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Dachbet

With a spot in the final of this season’s Europa League hanging in the balance on Thursday night, Atalanta will welcome Marseille to Bergamo.

Atalanta

Starting with the hosts, collecting a famous Europa League scalp last month as they stormed their way to a 3-1 aggregate victory against English giants Liverpool, Atalanta find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Although La Dea might have eventually missed out on the chance to claim a first-leg advantage in France last week as they settled for a 1-1 stalemate, Gian Piero Gasperini’s men should be smelling a real opportunity here. Suffering just a single defeat from any of their previous seven appearances across all competitions, the Bergamo-based outfit will certainly be excited to make a return to home soil on Thursday night. Pencilled in as a standout contender here, Atalanta have lost just a pair of their previous 16 straight showdowns at the Gewiss Stadium – a run that stems all the way back to November 25th.

Team News

Both missing out last week and dealing with respective calf injuries, Atalanta are once again expected to be without the duo of Emil Holm and Rafael Toloi here. However, after serving a first-leg suspension at the Stade Velodrome, Swedish international Isak Hien will return to Gasperini’s squad.

Finding the net over the in France last week and now registering six goals in his nine Europa League appearances this season, former West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca will spearhead La Dea’s charge on Thursday night. Likewise, recording eight goals for club and country since opening the New Year, ex-Leicester star Ademola Lookman will be hoping for a full recall here.

Marseille

As for the visitors, although Marseille might have mounted a comeback on home soil last week as they left the Stade Velodrome with a first-leg 1-1 draw, the French outfit have continued to struggle with their consistency this season. Coming under a huge amount of scrutiny, Jean-Louis Gasset has seen his downbeat squad muster just a pair of victories from any of their previous 10 appearances across all competitions. Opening April with a routine 3-1 drumming at the hands of Lille, the Phocaeans have also gained a reputation for their glaring defensive issues. Recording just a single clean sheet over the past couple of months, Marseille will certainly be bracing themselves for a stern examination here. It should also be highlighted, the former Ivory Coast boss has seen his side ship 12 goals in just their last five matchups on the road.

Team News

All still dealing with respective long-term injury issues, Marseille will travel to Bergamo on Thursday night without the trio of Bilal Nadir, Pedro Ruiz and former Nantes midfielder Valentin Rongier. However, serving a one-match suspension at the Stade Velodrome last week, 30-year-old Samuel Gigot could make a full return here.

Continuing on what has been a real purple patch this season and notching 10 goals in his 12 Europa League appearances, ex-Arsenal skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will lead Marseille’s charge on Thursday night. Former Inter Milan star Joaquin Correa could replace Ismaila Sarr in midweek.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Atalanta and Marseille met for their first-leg showdown last week, Thursday’s opponents played out a 1-1 stalemate in France.
• La Dea have lost just a pair of their previous 16 straight home fixtures across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to November 25th.
• Marseille have recorded just a single clean sheet from any of their previous 10 appearances across all competitions.
• The Phocaeans have conceded 12 goals in just their last five showdowns away from the Stade Velodrome.
• Former West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca has scored six goals in his nine Europa League appearances this season.

Conclusion

Sending Premier League giants Liverpool packing last month as they secured a stunning 3-1 aggregate victory, Atalanta will be looking to make another statement here. Excited to make a return to Bergamo on Thursday night and suffering just a pair of defeats in front of their own supporters since the end of November, La Dea will be smelling a golden opportunity here. With Marseille continuing to gain a reputation for their extended issues away from the Stade Velodrome, we are backing Atalanta to punch their Europa League final ticket in midweek.

Verdict: Atalanta win

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Dachbet