11th April Europa League Preview: Liverpool vs Atalanta
These two met in the Champions League in 2020, and Atalanta actually came away with a 2-0 win at Anfield – although that made the aggregate score 5-2 in favour of the Reds. Anfield has been a fortress for Liverpool this season, who are still undefeated- it’s a tough quarter-final for the Bergamo side.
Pick 1: Liverpool O6.5 Corners (1.83, bet365)
Pick 2: de Roon O0.5 Fouls + Kolasinac O0.5 Fouls (1.8, bet365)
Pick 3: Joe Gomez 1+ Shot (1.7, Ladbrokes)
Predicted Line-ups:
Liverpool (4-3-3): Kelleher, Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Endo, MacAllister, Elliot, Salah, Gakpo, Diaz
Atalanta (3-4-2-1): Musso, Toloi, Djimsiti, Kolasinac, Zappacosta, Ederson, De Roon, Ruggeri, Koopmeiners, Lookman, Scamacca
Pick 1: Liverpool O6.5 Corners
Against Sparta Prague, Klopp opted for a full strength Liverpool team for both legs, which has surprising. A massive clash against Man City was sandwiched in between both RO16 legs, and Liverpool faced Man Utd just 3 days after the second leg.
It’s clear that Liverpool are taking this competition with the utmost seriousness, looking to deliver Klopp (at least) a second piece of silverware in his farewell season on Merseyside.
I think we’ve got a slightly discounted corner line because of the potential for Klopp to rotate. He should go for a strong XI, though.
At Anfield this season, Liverpool have hit 7+ corners in 21/25 in all comps. 7+ Corners has landed in the last 11 straight.
Trusting the hit rate, and for Klopp to go full strength to take an advantage to Bergamo.
Bet 1: Liverpool O6.5 Corners (1.83, bet365)
Pick 2: de Roon O0.5 Fouls + Kolasinac O0.5 Fouls
These two players for Atalanta have racked up the most fouls this season, averaging 1.86 and 1.59 fouls / 90 respectively.
Kolasinac has made 1+ foul in 6/6 Europa league games this season, averaging a massive 3.02 fouls / 90. The ex-Arsenal man will be fully aware of the task at hand, potentially marking Salah. I expect him to be very busy, aggressive and tight on the Egyptian.
de Roon is expected to feature in a midfield partnership with Ederson on Thursday night, with the Dutchman having made a foul in 14/17 away games in all comps this season.
Both players have fantastic foul stats for the season, and I expect their respective defensive actions to be inflated given the matchup. Liverpool should dominate, with the game very transitional in periods. Both should be in for the full 90, too which would be ideal.
Bet 2: de Roon O0.5 Fouls + Kolasinac O0.5 Fouls (1.8, bet365)
Pick 3: Joe Gomez 1+ Shot
Gomez is still yet to score for Liverpool despite joining all the way back in 2015 – but this season he seems to be getting closer and closer.
He’s been taking a lot more shots and getting forward since adopting his role at fullback. Having missed out on the weekend at Old Trafford, Gomez is in line for a start at Anfield in the Europa League.
Gomez is averaging 1.29 shots / 90 at Anfield in all comps this season, notably higher than his average away as a result of the crowd encouraging him to shoot.
1+ shot has landed in 10/15 at home this season – as we get to the business end of the campaign, I expect Gomez to persist in the search for his first Liverpool goal.
Happy to take the value on offer here, I was surprised this was backable as a single. Same bet is 1.44 on bet365 for comparison.
Bet 3: Joe Gomez 1+ Shot (1.7, Ladbrokes)
