Predictions Europa League - Atalanta vs Marseille

Europa League - Atalanta vs Marseille
Match Time: 10-05-2024 03:00 Friday (GMT+8)
Football Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips
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Atalanta

At the end of their first-ever meeting, Atalanta and Marseille could not be split at Stade Velodrome, as La Dea proved unable to retain a lead earned by Gianluca Scamacca's 11th-minute opener.

Soon after the striker made it six goals in as many games, Chancel Mbemba drew OM level, scoring spectacularly from outside the box to bag his fourth Europa League goal of the season - more than any other defender across UEFA's three club competitions.

Though substitute Aleksei Miranchuk came close to snatching a precious winner in the final moments, the scoreline ultimately finished all square, setting up a high-stakes contest at the Gewiss Stadium.

Having now extended their unbeaten away run in Europe to 11 matches - including last month's superb 3-0 win at Anfield - Atalanta return to home turf, where they have won 11 of their last 14 matches.

Indeed, throughout their history in the Europa League and its predecessor the UEFA Cup, the Nerazzurri have lost just two of 17 home games, winning 10 and keeping eight clean sheets in the process.

Gian Piero Gasperini's current side are not only thriving in Europe but have also booked a place in this year's Coppa Italia final - they meet Juventus in Rome later this month - and are in contention to earn Champions League qualification via Serie A.

Following Monday's 2-1 comeback win over relegated Salernitana, Atalanta sit fifth in the standings with four games remaining, and Italy's top flight will have five seats at Europe's top table next season.

The Lombardy club are already enjoying a golden era under their experienced head coach, but becoming the first Italian club to claim the Europa League would see 'Gasp' cement his status as an all-time great in Bergamo.

Marseille

Marseille have won each of their last three semi-final ties in UEFA's second-tier tournament, but they must now try to improve on their recent away record in order to progress past La Dea.

OM have won just one of six away games in Europe this season - losing at Villarreal and Benfica in the knockout phase alone - as well as picking up a dismal 11 points on the road in Ligue 1.

That is the joint-worst tally throughout the French top flight, yet they remain in the hunt for European qualification, lying five points behind sixth-placed Lens with one game in hand.

Jean-Louis Gasset's side were spared any domestic action at the weekend, due to their involvement in Europe, so they have had a full week to prepare for the test that awaits in Italy.

Having stepped in to become Marseille's third manager of the season, Gasset has helped the south coast side emerge from their latest crisis, and his short-term deal could even end in glory later this month.

Winning the Europa League would also secure a spot in next season's Champions League, but overcoming Atalanta, then either Roma or the new German champions, is a tall task indeed.

Prediction: Atalanta 2-1 Marseille