Atalanta will be looking to strengthen their grip at the top of Group D as they host Sturm Graz in a Europa League fixture on Thursday. The Serie A side are still unbeaten in the competition and should have too much quality for their visitors.
Atalanta were held to a 2-2 draw with Sturm Graz in their previous Europa League fixture. They came from behind to lead thanks to a brace from Luis Muriel but failed to hold on for the win and conceded the equaliser 10 minutes from time.
While manager Gian Piero Gasperini will be disappointed not to have held on for the win, the result means Atalanta are still unbeaten in Group D. The Bergamo club are three points clear at the top of the standings and head into Thursday’s clash knowing a win will put them in the driver’s seat to reach the knockout stage.
Atalanta will be feeling confident ahead of Thursday’s fixture having lost just once in their last six matches at Gewiss Stadium, claiming four wins in that run. However, that defeat came last weekend as they were beaten 2-1 by Inter Milan in a Serie A fixture.
Sparta Prague showed great character to earn a draw in that meeting with Atalanta, having played much of the season half with 10 men. Alexander Prass’ early effort was cancelled out by the Italians before Szymon Wlodarczyk netted a late equaliser.
The Austrians need a win to keep alive their hopes of reaching the knockout phase as they sit third in Group D having picked up one win from three matches. However, they have not been at their best lately with one win in their last four matches across all competitions.
Sturm Graz travel to Bergamo off the back of a 3-1 defeat to LASK in a domestic fixture last weekend. However, that was the first defeat in eight away matches for Christian Ilzer’s men, who had been on a four match winning run on the road prior to that result.
How the bookies view it
Atalanta have been installed as overwhelming favourites with a home win priced at 2/9 with BetVictor. A victory for Sturm Graz is valued at 11/1 by bet365 while William Hill is offering odds of 5/1 for a draw.
Head to head
The only previous meeting between Atalanta and Sturm Graz was the reverse fixture which ended in a 2-2 draw.
Players to watch
Gianluca Scamacca has looked sharp for Atalanta in recent weeks, scoring three goals in his last two matches. The striker could be worth keeping an eye on to score anytime at evens with BetVictor.
Sturm Graz also have some quality in attack with Szymon Wlodarczyk often leading the line. The forward has two goals in his last four matches and is priced at 5/1 by Betfred to get on the score sheet on Thursday.
Anything else catch the eye?
There were over 3.5 goals in the reverse fixture and a repeat is priced at 7/5 with Paddy Power. Over 2.5 goals could also be considered at 4/7 with William Hill, who is also offering odds of 21/20 on both teams to score.
Atalanta are expected to display their full attacking quality and could be tipped to score in both halves at 10/11 with Coral. A straight victory for Atalanta is priced at minimal odds so a win and both teams to score could be considered at 2/1 by BoyleSports.
This UEFA Europa League match between Atalanta and Sturm Graz will be played on Nov 9, 2023 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Atalanta vs Sturm Graz prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
