This Thursday, we are expecting several very interesting matches, as this day brings us the quarterfinals return legs of the Europa League and the Conference League. This time, we have analyzed the duel between Atalanta and Liverpool, noting that the Italian team celebrated a more than convincing 3-0 victory in the first match at Anfield, leaving the English side facing a practically impossible mission. The kickoff for the return match in Bergamo is scheduled for 9 PM.
Atalanta: Europa League Semifinals in Sight!
Last season, Atalanta played inconsistently, but that was still enough for a sixth-place finish in the table and qualification for the Europa League. Speaking of this second-tier European club competition, it’s worth noting that the team easily advanced to the knockout stage after finishing first in their group, granting them a direct spot in the round of 16.
In the round of 16, Atalanta met Sporting, and interestingly, these two teams were also in the same group. In the two-legged affair, Gian Piero Gasperini’s charges rightfully eliminated a team that has been performing excellently this season and is on the verge of winning another Portuguese championship title.
The draw was ruthless to the Italian representative, as they faced Liverpool in the round of 16, who are, of course, considered the main favorites to win the Europa League. However, Atalanta then played one of their best European matches in the last decade. Against all odds, the team from Bergamo celebrated a victory at Liverpool’s ground, and the match at Anfield ended with a 0-3 score, placing the Italian team on the threshold of reaching the semifinals of Europe’s second-tier club competition.
Regarding Serie A, just like last season, the team popularly known as La Dea is playing quite inconsistently, and currently, Gian Piero Gasperini’s side is in sixth place with four points less than fifth-placed Roma. In their last five matches in Italy’s top tier, Atalanta has managed only one victory, which came in an away game against the reigning champions, Napoli, ending 0-3. Besides that victory, the team drew twice and lost twice.
In their last game, the team from Bergamo drew at home against Verona, with the match ending 2-2. In terms of home performances, Atalanta has played fifteen matches at their stadium in Serie A this season, securing ten victories, two draws, and three losses. In the Europa League, this team has not lost in four matches played at home, and it remains to be seen if this record will hold after this match against the main favorite to win Europe’s second-tier club competition.
Liverpool: Two tough defeats at the worst possible time!
Liverpool did not have a celebrated season last year, and in the end, everyone at the club had to settle for the Europa League, which was certainly declared a significant failure. However, Jürgen Klopp promised fans at the beginning of the season that he would do everything to win a trophy in the second-tier European club competition, meaning the Reds took this competition very seriously. Of course, the English representative finished first in their group, securing a direct spot in the round of 16, where the team from Anfield faced Czech Sparta, who had somewhat unexpectedly eliminated Galatasaray. Liverpool dominated both matches, and in the end, Jürgen Klopp’s charges, who will leave Liverpool at the end of the season, celebrated with an aggregate score of 11:2, demonstrating that the English team is the main favorite for the title in the second-tier European club competition.
However, the subsequent match against Atalanta, which shocked all of Europe by winning 0:3 at Anfield, leaves Liverpool facing a dauntingly tough task, although it should be reminded that the famous English team has previously managed incredible comebacks in European competitions. Recall the two-leg affair against Barcelona, when the Catalans celebrated a 3:0 victory at home, only for Liverpool to win 4:0 at Anfield, reaching the Champions League final and later winning the trophy in that competition.
Regarding the Premier League, unfortunately, in the last round, Liverpool lost the top spot on the table after being unexpectedly defeated by Crystal Palace at home, with the match ending 0:1. Now, nothing more depends on the team from Anfield, who currently share second place on the table with the same number of points as Arsenal, but also two points behind the leaders Manchester City, who moved to the top after a home victory against Luton. When it comes to away games, Jürgen Klopp’s charges have played fifteen matches outside their home in the English championship, securing eight victories, five draws, and two losses, while Liverpool in the Europa League has so far experienced two away defeats, to Toulouse and Saint-Gilloise, in the group stage.
Our Betting Suggestions
We have no doubt that Liverpool will start offensively from the first minute towards La Dea’s goal. However, it is well known that Atalanta plays quite well at their home ground, so it is most realistic to focus on goals again, which in our opinion will be scored by both sides. Therefore, we advise trying the Both teams to score bet with an odds of 1.42.
Bookmakers give better chances of victory to the visitors, which is somewhat logical. However, we believe that the team from Bergamo will not suffer a defeat at their stadium, so we boldly recommend you try the double chance 1X with great odds of 2.20 at betBonanza.
Finally, it is quite possible that this match between the Italian and English representatives will bring us at least two goals in the first half, so we suggest you play the 1st half total OVERÂ 1.5 Goals which betBonanza pays with odds of 1.95.
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