Marseille vs Atalanta: Preview, Prediction & Betting Tips

The Europa League has reached the semi-final stage, with Marseille hosting Atalanta in the first leg. Both teams are hoping to take a big step towards the final.

Date: 02/05/24

Kick-off time: 20:00

Venue: Stade Velodrome

This is the furthest that Atalanta have gotten in any European competition since 1988, when they reached the semi-final of the European Cup Winners’ Cup. They will also be looking to win their first trophy since 2011, which was when they last won Serie B. This means that this is perhaps the biggest tie in the club’s recent history. Marseille, in contrast, have enjoyed much more historical success, but are aiming to make a European final for the first time since 1993, the year they won the European Cup.

To get to this stage, the Italian side topped their group with four wins and two draws, before impressively eliminating both Sporting Lisbon and Liverpool, with the latter including a 3-0 first leg win at Anfield. In contrast, Marseille finished second in their group, which meant they had to go through the playoff phase, making it past Shakhtar Donetsk. They then knocked out Villarreal with ease, and edged Benfica on penalties.

Goals may be at a premium in this one, despite both teams’ recent goalscoring output. The visitors have scored 18 goals in this season’s competition, but have only conceded seven, which could give their French hosts some issues. They also managed to keep a clean sheet away from home against Liverpool, highlighting their strengths at the back. If Marseille are to threaten, it will most likely come from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who is the tournament’s top scorer with 10 goals. Gianluca Scamacca leads the way for Atalanta with five.

This will be the first time the two sides meet. Marseille’s record against Italian teams is poor, having won seven out of 24 games. Atalanta have played just seven fixtures against French opposition, but have been victorious on five occasions.

Marseille

Marseille have a long injury list but could welcome back some players. Chancel Mbemba, Ismaila Sarr and Valentin Rongier are all slated to return in early May, though it remains to be seen whether this game comes too soon. Quentin Merlin is further behind in his recovery.

Atalanta

Emil Holm is expected to miss this game with a calf injury, whilst Rafael Toloi is further ahead in his recovery and could make a return.

Marseille

In the last five games, Marseille have won two, drawn two and lost one. It has been an inconsistent stretch for Marseille, but they did manage progression in the Europa League. This run began with their two-legged quarter-final tie with Benfica, though they lost the first game 2-1. Rafa Silva opened the scoring for the Portuguese side early on, before Angel Di Maria doubled the lead shortly after the restart. With just over 20 minutes to go, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang netted a crucial goal in the tie. This is because Marseille won the second leg 1-0, with a late Faris Moumbagna goal proving the difference. The result ensured that the tie went to penalties, in which the French team prevailed 4-2.

They returned to league action with a 2-2 draw away at Toulouse. There was late drama in this one as both sides scored to ensure the points were shared. Jean Onana broke the deadlock after 38 minutes, but this was cancelled out on the stroke of half-time. The hosts thought they had secured three points, however, Moumbagna levelled it once more in the 96th minute. They followed this with another 2-2 scoreline, this time at home to Nice. They went behind early, but Jonathan Clauss got them back on level terms. Moumbagna was sent off just before half-time, but this did not deter them, with Aubameyang putting them in front. Unfortunately, they could not hold on as Melvin Bard scored the equaliser.

Last time out, they played another home game, hosting Lens. They were 2-1 winners, after Aubameyang put them ahead after just one minute. Wesley Said equalised with 13 minutes to go, but the three points were secured as Pape Gueye netted the winner in the 85th minute.

Atalanta

In their last five games, Atalanta have won three, drawn one and lost one. It has been a mixed stretch for the Italians, though they advanced in Europe and remained unbeaten in the league. This run began with a 2-2 league draw at home to Verona. However, it was a disappointment to drop points given they had taken a 2-0 lead after just 18 minutes with goals from Gianluca Scamacca and Ederson. Two goals in the space of four second half minutes saw Verona peg them back and leave with a point.

They followed this with their only defeat of this period, though it ultimately led to their progression to the semi-finals of the Europa League. In the second leg of the quarter-final, they lost 1-0 at home to Liverpool, but won the first leg 3-0 which meant a comfortable progression. Mo Salah scored a seventh-minute penalty to provide some nerves, but this was as far as the threat had gone. They responded to the loss with a 2-1 win at Monza. The hosts had more shots and edged possession, but it was Charles De Ketelaere who put Atalanta ahead on the stroke of half-time. The lead was doubled by El Bilal Toure before Daniel Maldini pulled one back in the closing stages.

Focus shifted to the Coppa Italia in which they faced Fiorentina in the semi-final second leg. After losing the first game 1-0, they prevailed 4-1 to advance to the final. Teun Koopmeiners levelled the tie after eight minutes, but the visitors took control with an equaliser with just over 20 minutes remaining. Atalanta regained that control with three unanswered strikes from Scamacca, Ademola Lookman and Mario Pasalic. Their most recent game was a home game against Empoli. They came out on top 2-0 with goals from Pasalic and Lookman, the first being a penalty.

There should be little to split these evenly matched teams in this game. Goals will be at a minimum, but we expect the visitors to edge it and take a slender advantage into the second leg – Marseille 0-1 Atalanta

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Marseille vs Atalanta will be available to watch on TNT Sports 3.

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