Liverpool v Atalanta Betting Tips [11 April 2024]

Liverpool will shift attention from the Premier League title run to host Atalanta in Thursday’s Europa League quarterfinal first leg. A 2-2 draw with Manchester United in their last game derailed Liverpool’s quest for a treble but they’ll hope to make a step here. In the Europa League, just like in the Premier League, they remain favorites heading into the quarters. In the last round the Reds mercilessly dispatched Sparta Prague 11-2 on aggregate. Despite their strength, Liverpool will find this tie tougher than the previous. With the need for a first leg advantage, Jurgen Klopp’s men will want to defend better than they’ve done lately. In their last seven matches, Liverpool haven't managed a clean sheet. In their last game, they conceded twice against the run of play, while missing a horde of chances themselves. Still, Liverpool carry a serious goal threat coming into this encounter. In their last 10 matches, they scored two or more goals seven times. Liverpool have played eight Europa League matches this season, winning six. In seven of those eight matches, they scored two or more goals.

Atalanta must improve on their recent run if they are to get a positive result at Anfield. They are coming from two straight defeats, the most recent against relegation-threatened Cagliari in Serie A. Their latest league loss left Atalanta sixth and Europa League remains a key route to the Champions League next season. Earlier, they were subjected to a 1-0 defeat by Fiorentina and they have just one clean sheet in nine matches. Atalanta have however made up for their defensive weaknesses with a good scoring run. In their last 18 matches they failed to score in just two matches – losses to Fiorentina and Inter Milan. The Europa League will be a welcome distraction after winning just once in seven matches in domestic action. They come into this encounter unbeaten in their eight Europa League matches this season. Atalanta have five wins in the eight matches. In the last round they eliminated Sporting Lisbon with a 3-2 aggregate win. They however have just three clean sheets in these eight Europa League matches. The winner from this tie will meet either Benfica or Marseille in the semis.

Liverpool playing at home will have the advantage coming into this encounter and will be outright favorites. Their scoring run is great and they haven't lost at home in over a year. However, they rarely keep clean sheets in their matches, and Atalanta will want to take advantage of that. The Italians are on a good scoring run and netted in all their Europa League matches this season. Our prediction for Liverpool v Atalanta is for Liverpool to win with both teams scoring.