Olympique Marseille vs Atalanta, Prediction, Odds and Betting Tips 02/05/2024

Odds via Tonybet

Olympique Marseille vs Atalanta. Shape of the Teams

Few had expected to see either Marseille or Atalanta in the semi-finals of the Europa League, and yet, here they are.

The journey has been particularly tumultuous for Marseille. Spanish manager Marcelino resigned amid death threats from ultras – officially attributed to “personal reasons.” Nonetheless, the club is having a great season in Europe and knocked out Benfica, a club with a rich history in European competitions. 

Meanwhile, Atalanta was making headlines by exploiting vulnerabilities in Liverpool’s tactics in their 3-0 victory, eventually eliminating the Reds from the competition. 

Domestically, both teams have been performing decently but not exceptionally, with Atalanta and Marseille sitting at 6th and 7th in their respective leagues. 

With only a few games left on the calendar, the strategies adopted by the managers will be telling. Atalanta’s Gian Piero Gasperini, with his extensive experience, might have a slight edge over Marseille’s Jean-Louis Gasset, who stepped in after Gattuso’s tenure. Gasperini’s ability to coax peak performances from key players, is what could be the decisive factor for Atalanta.

Olympique Marseille vs Atalanta Match Info

• Date and Kickoff Time: Thursday, May 2, 3:00 PM EDT
• Stadium: Stade Vélodrome
• Location: Marseille, France

Olympique Marseille vs Atalanta, Odds

• Pick: Atalanta to win
• Odds: +185 (Tonybet)

In recent years, Atalanta has been making a name for themselves as a talent factory. A striking example is Nigerian forward Lookman, who was one of the stars at the 2024 African Cup of Nations. Alongside him, Gianluca Scamacca has become a household name among Serie A enthusiasts, consistently performing at a high level in Italy. Additionally, Teun Koopmeiners, a player less mentioned in the media, has also made his mark in midfield. 

Contrasting to Atalanta’s emerging force, Marseille’s experience at Europe’s top echelon is comparatively limited. However, they have seen the second coming of Aubameyang, whose career resurgence in Marseille has been nothing short of spectacular. 

The former Dortmund and Barcelona star has been stellar in front of goal. Atalanta’s defence has often been criticized for pushing too high in the rest defence, and if there is one player that could take advantage of that, it’s Aubameyang. 

Looking back on past European campaigns, many will recall Atalanta’s run during the COVID-affected seasons, where players like Josip Iličić and Papu Gomez turned the Bergamo-based club into a formidable dark horse. 

Although Gasperini’s team has struggled to live up to such standards since then, their recent performance against Liverpool showed that Atalanta can still disrupt and excel against Europe’s elite. Against Marseille, their counter-attacks and wide rotations will be key elements that the French must carefully negotiate. 

Olympique Marseille vs Atalanta Betting Tip

• Pick: Both teams to score
• Odds: -137 (Tonybet)

Placing a bet when two teams have never previously clashed is one of the most difficult tasks I’ve faced recently. However, examining the key players and their current form can provide some valuable insights into how the match might unfold.

Both Atalanta and Marseille boast formidable attacking talents, notably Gianluca Scamacca and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who are expected to deliver in front of goal. Despite the strengths of their defences, these players are standout performers in the Europa League.

Solid three-at-the-back formations often struggle against unfamiliar opponents, leading to disorganized defensive lines. With Aubameyang leading the attack, Atalanta’s hopes for a clean sheet could be severely tested.

Disclaimer: Odds are accurate at the time of posting and subject to change. Please verify the latest odds on our platform before betting.