Liverpool - Atalanta BC predictions and free betting tips [11/04/2024]

On Thursday, 11th of April in the first quarterfinal match of the Europa League, Liverpool will host Atalanta at Anfield. In the previous round, the Reds managed to score 11 goals against Prague's Sparta, while Gian Piero Gasperini's side had a tough time overcoming Lisbon's Sporting.

Liverpool

Not finding themselves in the Champions League this season, Liverpool have been left to contend with the secondary European cup, where they showed serious intent in the previous round against Prague's Sparta. The Brits handed the Czechs two substantial defeats, both in the first (5-1) and the return leg (6-1), while they had finished top of their group including Toulouse, Union Saint Gilloise, and LASK in the autumn. In the Premier League, Jurgen Klopp's charges remain fully engaged in the fight for the title with Arsenal and Manchester City, having shared points with the Citizens before the March international break (1-1). In the run-up to the European matches, the Reds beat Brighton in early April (2-1) and last week thrashed Sheffield United (3-1) before letting a win slip away at Old Trafford (2-2) against the Red Devils. 

Liverpool have scored at least twice in each of their last five matches in all competitions and are now dreaming of becoming only the second team in history to score at least four goals in five UEFA Cup and Europa League matches in one season, after the 1964-65 Benfica side. The continued absence of injured Portuguese forward Diogo Jota will be felt in the opening match against La Dea, as will the losses of goalkeeper Alisson, full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, and midfielders Thiago Alcantara and Matip. Jurgen Klopp will certainly field his optimum starting XI, so Salah (16 goals, 9 assists in the Premier League), Dias (8 goals, 4 assists), and Darwin Nunez (10 goals, 7 assists) will all start. The Reds' midfield will be conducted by Mac Allister and Sobosslai, while Konate and van Dijk will occupy the heart of the defence.

Atalanta

In the previous round Atalanta faced a far superior opponent versus Sparta. The Italians initially drew with Sporting (1-1), before overcoming the Lisbon side in the return leg (2-1) to reach the quarterfinals. In the Serie A, Atalanta still lags a bit behind the top five (5 points adrift of Roma). Having not managed a single win in four matches before the international break, La Dea thrashed Napoli away from home (3-0) at the start of April, then slipped up against Fiorentina (0-1) in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final. Gasperini's charges also disappointed their fans over the past weekend, losing 2-1 to a struggling Cagliari. Scamacca gave the Bergamo side the lead early in the match, but their Sardinian hosts turned the game around with goals from Ojo and Viola.  

It's worth noting that Atalanta's last two quarter-finals in European competition ended with them being eliminated - by PSG in the Champions League 2019-20 and by RB Leipzig in the Europa League a couple of years ago. The Italians do not have any major personnel issues, aside from central defender Scalvini who is injured. Scamacca, who scored in both matches against Sporting (8 goals in Serie A), is certain to start on Thursday, as well as Nigerian winger Lookman (8 goals and 3 assists). Dutch midfielder Koopmeiners (11 goals and 3 assists) will orchestrate Atalanta's midfield play, while Colombian Luis Muriel, who scored 4 goals in the current Europa League run, remains the visitors' top scorer in this Europa League campaign despite moving to MLS over the winter.

Head-to-head

The only time these teams met was during the group stage of the 2020-21 Champions League. The Reds trounced Bergamo at Anfield (5-0), but the Italians got their revenge in the return fixture (2-0).             

Prediction for the Liverpool - Atalanta match

Atalanta has been faltering against opponents of all levels of late, particularly away from home. Liverpool will be doubly motivated to redeem themselves before their fans after the embarrassing slip-up against Man United over the weekend. In their last 13 home games, only Arsenal and Man City have managed to take a point from Anfield. My prediction is a win for the hosts with a -1.5 handicap.