Marseille vs Atalanta: Betting Odds & Prediction

(Featured image: Alamy Images)

Written by: Bradley Walker

Marseille host Atalanta in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League semi-final on Thursday evening. 

The hosts secured passage to the final four with a penalties win over Benfica, while Atalanta secured a 3-1 aggregate win over former tournament favourites Liverpool. Kick-off is set for 8pm UK time at Stade Vélodrome. 

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Marseille

Marseille's 2-1 home win over RC Lens at the weekend was their first Ligue 1 victory in five outings. Jean Louis-Gasset's side now find themselves seventh in the French top-flight, and winning the Europa League might be their best shot at landing a spot in European football next season. 

Their home matches have been the cornerstone of their success in Europe so far. Marseille have won five of their six home encounters in the Europa League, with the only blemish being a 2-2 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion back in October. Given their poor record on the road, where they've won just once in six outings so far, Marseille's prospects of reaching the final may rest firmly on their performance in the first leg this Thursday. 

Goals haven't been hard to come by as Marseille have averaged 2.83 goals scored in home fixtures, and have scored in every home encounter so far. Striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang reigns as the tournament's top scorer with 10. 

Their record at the back is also impressive. Despite conceding heavy on the road (averaging 1.83 a game), Marseille have shipped just 1.17 on average at the Stade Vélodrome. Two of their six home games have ended in a clean sheet. 

Atalanta

The Italians boast three consecutive victories in all competitions following a 2-0 home win over Empoli at the weekend. Gian Piero Gasperini's men have found form at the right time, losing just once in their last six, with the sole defeat being their 1-0 home loss in the second leg to Liverpool at the quarter-final stage. They already held a 3-0 lead following their success at Anfield the week before. 

Atalanta have excelled in Europe this season, with the Liverpool defeat being their only loss in the competition so far. They are yet to lose on the road in the Europa League, winning three of their five fixtures while drawing the other two. 

An impressive average of 2.4 goals scored in away matches has seen them score in every match on their travels. Gasperini's side have also scored two or more goals in five away encounters so far. 

Atalanta's performance in defensive columns has been even better; an average of just 0.8 goals conceded on the road has seen them keep clean sheets in two of their six away fixtures. 

Prediction

The away side have already enjoyed a wealth of success on the road so far, and will be buoyed further by their ousting of former tournament favourites Liverpool at the previous stage. OddsNow back Atalanta to continue their rich scoring form on their travels to France on Thursday evening.

OddsNow's Pick: Atalanta to score 1.5+ goals scored (6/4 @ Ladbrokes)

 

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