This Wednesday, all eyes will be on Dublin as Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen eagerly compete for the first European trophy of the season. We examine their paths to the final and suggest a bet on the outcome.
ATALANTA v BAYER LEVERKUSEN– Click here to bet
The Aviva Stadium is set to host this season’s UEFA Europa League final, featuring an eagerly anticipated clash between two familiar foes on the European stage. Atalanta will be determined to maintain their impressive streak against Germany’s finest, Bayer Leverkusen, while the formidable Black and Reds aim to extend their ‘invincible’ run. Both teams head into the final off the back of domestic victories over the weekend, yet the spotlight on Saturday was undoubtedly on Xabi Alonso’s squad and their remarkable achievements thus far. Their 2-1 triumph over Augsburg marked Bayer Leverkusen as the first German side to complete an entire Bundesliga season undefeated, extending their European record to 51 games without tasting defeat.
Atalanta, on the other hand, has navigated their campaign with a quiet and calculated approach, one that shouldn’t be underestimated. While much attention is directed towards their opponents, this allows the Italians to concentrate on their own tasks at hand. Currently occupying 5th spot in Serie A, they appear well on their way to securing a place in next season’s Champions League, with just one more victory likely enough to cement their position.
In Europe, Atalanta’s journey to this stage has been impressive. They topped Group D with 4 wins and 2 draws, entering the knockout rounds undefeated with a goal difference of +8. Continuing their unbeaten streak, they defeated Sporting Lisbon 3-2 on aggregate in the round of 16, followed by a notable victory over Liverpool in the quarter-finals, progressing 3-1 overall. This secured their place in the semi-finals where they faced Marseille. Once again, Atalanta proved dominant, progressing 4-1 on aggregate to reach the final.
Atalanta has scored an average of 1.83 goals per game in Europe this season, with over 2.5 goals occurring in 50% of their matches (6 out of 12).
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Bayer Leverkusen has undoubtedly been the standout team of the season, poised just two games away from achieving perfection. Securing the Bundesliga title for the first time in the club’s history, ‘Die Werkself’ now aims to clinch more silverware this campaign. Their sights will be set on adding the Europa League trophy to their list of achievements this Wednesday, followed by the German Cup final against FC Kaiserslautern this upcoming weekend, in pursuit of the elusive invincible treble.
In Europe, Bayer Leverkusen has been a dominant force on their journey to the final. The German team showcased their strength by winning all six group stage matches, effortlessly securing the top spot in Group H with an impressive goal difference of +16. The Round of 16 proved to be their toughest challenge yet, as they battled to secure a hard-fought 5-4 aggregate win over Qarabag across two legs. Following this, they comfortably defeated West Ham in the quarter-finals with a 3-1 win overall. Their impressive form continued in the semi-finals with a 4-2 victory over AS Roma, securing their well-deserved place in this season’s UEFA Europa League final.
Bayer Leverkusen has scored an average of 2.58 goals per game in Europe this season, with over 2.5 goals occurring in 58% of their matches (7 out of 12).
Head-to-Head:
These two teams have crossed paths twice in the Europa League, with Atalanta prevailing on both occasions. They secured a 3-2 win at home and followed it up with a 1-0 away victory against Bayer Leverkusen, two years ago.
While Atalanta may boast a better record against Bayer Leverkusen, the German club’s current form and their imminent rewriting of the history books make them a formidable force. With momentum on their side, it’s difficult to overlook Bayer Leverkusen in this matchup. Additionally, considering both teams’ attacking mindset and appetite for goals in this competition, we are likely to see goals from both ends of the pitch.
Suggested Bet: Result and Both Teams To Score, Leverkusen and Yes at 29/10
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
