Atalanta vs Sporting CP Europa League Match Analysis
Atalanta BC hosts Sporting Lisbon at the Gewiss Stadium for the second leg of their Europa League last-16 clash, following a 1-1 draw at Estadio Jose Alvalade in the first leg.
Match Preview
The tie is evenly balanced after last week’s draw, despite Atalanta hitting the woodwork multiple times against Sporting Lisbon.
After falling behind to a Paulinho goal, Atalanta responded strongly, with Gianluca Scamacca equalizing impressively.
Atalanta displayed dominance for the rest of the game, creating numerous promising chances.
They hit the woodwork three times while Sporting did so once in the second half.
Despite this, Atalanta carried a greater goal threat and had a late El Bilal Toure goal disallowed for offside.
Atalanta won two of their three home matches in the group stage, with the 1-1 draw against Sporting being their only away draw.
It remains to be seen if the Serie A side can secure a win on home turf this time.
Sporting faces a tough task as they aim to end a winless streak against Italian sides in Europe, having suffered 12 defeats in their last 17 games against them.
However, Sporting is unbeaten in the Europa League since their defeat to Atalanta on matchday one, and they managed to avoid a loss in the previous encounter despite Atalanta creating multiple promising chances.
Despite their poor record against Italian teams, Sporting enters the reverse leg in good form, unbeaten across all competitions since January 23.
This momentum should provide Sporting with the confidence to thrive in a challenging environment in Bergamo and end their hoodoo against clubs from Italy’s top division.
Atalanta and Sporting have met only three times before, with Atalanta winning once and drawing twice.
Recent Form
Atalanta BC: WWWWWD
Sporting Lisbon: WWWDLL
Prediction: Atalanta BC 2-1 Sporting Lisbon
Based on their performances in the Europa League group stage, Atalanta is likely to win this encounter by a narrow margin.
- Prediction: Atalanta Win
Both teams are expected to score at least one goal each, as they have done in their last three meetings this season.
- Betting Tips: BTTS Yes
Possible Lineups
Atalanta BC: (3-4-1-2)
Musso;
Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac;
Holm, Ederson, De Roon, Ruggeri;
Koopmeiners;
Lookman, Scamacca
Sporting Lisbon: (3-4-3)
Israel;
Quaresma, Coates, Diomande;
Catamo, Hjulmand, Morita, Reis;
Trincao, Gyokeres, Goncalves
