Marseille vs Atalanta Prediction: Back Goals in this semi-final

TNT Sports 3 is the place to be for those looking to watch Marseille vs Atalanta on Thursday evening, in the first-leg of their Europa League semi-final clash (20:00).

Our Italian football expert brings his insight into this one as he picks out his two Best Bets for the match to go along with his Marseille vs Atalanta Predictions in his full match preview...

The first ever official meeting between these French and Italian sides promises to be a high-octane and passionate affair.

Marseille have had a turbulent domestic season, but their struggles in Ligue 1 have been so far compensated by a thrilling run in the Europa League.

Stade Velodrome will be packed as the hosts dream of reaching the final in Dublin, just like they did in 2018.

OM have only won four league games since mid-December, with three of these victories obtained against sides occupying the bottom six positions in France.

Despite their 2-1 win over Lens at the weekend it’s unlikely Marseille will play in the Champions League next season, unless, of course, they can lift the Europa League trophy on 22 May.

Jean-Louis Gasset, OM’s third manager of the season, who replaced Gennaro Gattuso only two months ago, seemed to have initially turned the club’s fortunes around, but at one point he has endured a negative stretch of five back-to-back defeats.

However, on European nights Marseille looked like a different side as they remained unbeaten in all their seven games (six wins, one draw, including the Champions League play-off against Panathinaikos).

Atalanta, on the other hand, have peaked at the right time of the season. They’ve won four of the last six games, including a routine 2-0 success over Empoli on Sunday and that memorable success at Anfield in the quarter-finals.

Giampiero Gasperini’s side has been playing well lately and carry a lot of threats going forward.

Gianluca Scamacca has scored eight times in the last 11 matches, but Atalanta, who have scored at least twice in five of their last six games, have got three other players (Lookman, Koopmeiners and De Ketelaere) in double figures.

Olympique Marseille have turned the Velodrome into a fortress, but as once Pep Guardiola said, 'playing Atlanta is like going to the dentist'.

Surely it won’t be a painful watch of what promises to be a Europa League classic.

Team News:

Former Inter midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia should replace Pape Gueye. The Senegal international scored last Sunday against Lens but is unregistered for the Europa League.

Jean-Louis Gasset’s Marseille have been heavily affected by injuries this season and will be without Valentin Rongier, Bilal Nadir and Bamo Meite. Left-back Quentin Merlin is also missing and his replacement, Ulisses Garcia, is also not eligible to play in this competition.

Faris Moumbagna is back from the Ligue 1 suspension, Jean Onana will probably replace Michael Murillo who limped off with injury at the weekend.

Atalanta top goalscorer Gianluca Scamacca should be fit after missing Atalanta’s 2-0 weekend win over Empoli. Central defender Isak Hien is suspended, while Emil Holm and Rafael Toloi are unavailable because of injuries.

Marseille vs Atalanta Odds

Please click on the link above to be taken to the main Marseille vs Roma page on betfred.com (or app) for all the live betting prices on this match.

High odds for all the three possible outcomes, an indication this tie will be extremely balanced.

OM are favourites (6/4) to win the first leg of the semi-final. In fact, in front of their supporters, the French have been rock solid: they’ve only lost once (2-0 vs PSG), in 23 matches in all competitions and failed to score only in three occasions.

The hosts knocked out Benfica on penalties in the quarter-finals and boast the competition's all time and current top scorer in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. However, their record against Italian sides is poor having won just one of their last five home games (D1 L3).

The odds for an Atalanta win are 9/5. The Bergamaschi are undefeated away in the Europa League, having won three times (against Rakow Czestochowa, Sporting Lisbon and Jurgen Klopp’s side).

The visitors have scored in nine out of 10 European games, whereas Marseille average 2.7 goals at home between the Champions League play-off and Europa League.

Identical odds for Over and Under 2.5 Goals (5/6), whereas the draw is priced at 12/5.

Tip 1: Both Team To Score – Yes @ 4/6

Marseille’s attacking numbers are impressive: they’ve scored at least one goal in each of their last six, and have netted 17 times at home in the Europa League.

Equally the French have been struggling defensively all season and have kept just three clean sheets in their last 20 games.

Both teams to score has been a winning bet in nine of 14 Olympique Marseille games this season.

Atalanta, on the other hand, have plenty of firepower up front and have failed to score on the road only four times during this campaign.

Tip 2: Draw or Atalanta and Over 2.5 Goals @ 11/5

The hosts have been outstanding at home (they’re third in the Ligue 1 home table) but have struggled on the road. Therefore, their chances of playing in the final rely a lot on the result of this match. A lot will depend on the form of Aubameyang, who has scored 27 goals this season including ten in the Europa League. Atalanta have rested more players at the weekend and are full of enthusiasm after reaching the Coppa Italia final a week ago.

Under Gasperini they’ve become accustomed to play at such high level and look the most organised and confident of the two sides.

You can check out all of Daniele's Football Betting Tips here each week along with those of our other Football writers...