22.05.2024, 20:00

Prediction: 0-1

Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen will clash in the 2024 Europa League final on Wednesday evening at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. This marks the third time in the last five years that an Italian team has reached the final of this competition. Having already lost the Italian Cup last week, Atalanta is eager to cap off a fantastic season with a trophy win. This will be their second European final after the 1963 Alpine Cup final, which they lost to Juventus. Atalanta’s journey to the final saw them overcoming Sporting Lisbon, Liverpool, and Marseille after the group stage.

In contrast, Bayer Leverkusen advanced past Roma, avenging their previous semi-final elimination. Leverkusen’s run has been particularly impressive, as they remain unbeaten this season, with an astonishing 50-game undefeated streak, the longest in Europe since 2000.

• Leverkusen’s Form: They have scored an average of 3 goals per game in their last 6 competitive matches.
• Atalanta’s Scoring Record: Atalanta has found the net in 8 of their last 9 matches.
• High-Scoring Games: Both teams have seen ‘Goals’ outcomes in 3 of Leverkusen’s last 4 matches.
• Previous Encounters: The two previous matches between Atalanta and Leverkusen have produced a total of 6 goals.

This final promises to be an exciting and high-scoring affair, given both teams’ attacking prowess and recent form.

Form Guide

Atalanta DWWWLW

Atalanta will be aiming for a repeat performance of their recent 0-2 Serie A victory against Lecce. In that match, the goals were scored by Charles De Ketelaere in the 48th minute and Gianluca Scamacca in the 53rd minute.

Recent results have showcased the resilience of Atalanta’s defense. They have been quite stingy, conceding only 4 goals across their last 6 matches. This solid defensive performance will be crucial as they prepare for their Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen.

Bayer Leverkusen DWWDWW

Bayer Leverkusen head into this clash following a 2-1 Bundesliga victory over Augsburg in their most recent game. In that match, Victor Boniface scored in the 12th minute and Robert Andrich added another in the 27th minute, while Mert Kömür netted for Augsburg in the 62nd minute.

Notably, in 5 of Bayer Leverkusen’s last 6 matches, there have been at least three goals scored. The overall average goals per game during this period is 4, with Bayer Leverkusen contributing an average of 3 goals per game. This high-scoring trend highlights the offensive prowess they will bring into the Europa League final against Atalanta.

Injured and suspended

Atalanta: (Emil Holm, Sead Kolasinac, Marten de Roon).

Bayer Leverkusen: Clean bill of health

Atalanta vs Bayer Leverkusen Predicted XI

Atalanta Predicted XI: Juan Musso, Berat Djimsiti, Isak Hien, Giorgio Scalvini, Davide Zappacosta, Matteo Ruggeri, Teun Koopmeiners, Ederson, Charles De Ketelaere, Ademola Lookman, Gianluca Scamacca.

Bayer Leverkusen Predicted XI: Matej Kovar, Piero Hincapie, Jonathan Tah, Edmond Tapsoba, Jeremie Frimpong, Alejandro Grimaldo, Robert Andrich, Granit Xhaka, Jonas Hofmann, Florian Wirtz and Patrik Schick.

Prediction

Similar to any final match, an initial evaluation holds minimal significance, as unpredictable events can have a significant impact. Two highly competitive teams will confront each other, promising an intense battle where spectacle might take a secondary role.

We believe that Atalanta might find it challenging to score against this Bayer Leverkusen lineup, which we think could secure a goal and ultimately emerge victorious.

Therefore, we predict a 1-0 win for Bayer Leverkusen after 90 minutes.