It’s not all that often that you will look at the list of group stage fixtures for a round of Europa League matches and find much to inspire you. However, there should be a great matchup in France on Thursday night as Lyon welcome Italian opposition in the form of Atalanta. This is Group E action and Atalanta will be looking to build on their strong start after beating Everton a fortnight ago, but Lyon are on a four-match winning streak at home in Europe.
Lyon Form
So it is four wins on the bounce for Lyon then at home in Europe. There’s more to that as well because they have scored 16 goals at an average of four per game in that sequence. Les Gones only managed a 1-1 draw out at Apollon Limassol on Match Day One, but they are going as 3/4 favourites to pick up the home win in this one. They have lost just get one game in all competitions this season (against PSG in Ligue 1) and at home, they have posted a W2 D2 record, but have averaged three goals per game in that sequence of home fixtures. Their defence hasn’t been great though with seven goals conceded in their three home fixtures. Lyon were semi-finalists last season and they have a W8 D5 L9 (W4 D3 L4 home) record against Italian opposition.
Atalanta Form
Atalanta destroyed a woeful Everton 3-0 on Match Day One and La Dea will be looking to build on that. This is their first-ever game against a French side. They are in the tournament after a fourth-place finish in Serie A last season and this, therefore, is their first European campaign since the 1990/91 season. Atalanta got off to a tough start this season with back to back league defeats against strong opposition in Roma and Napoli. But they have gone W3 D2 in their last five in all competitions but they do remain winless out on the road this season.
Top Betting Tips
Will Lyon be able to suppress the positive Italians? There’s good reason to expect plenty of goals in this one and over 2.5 goals at 4/5 as well as both teams to score at a price of 7/10 with bet365 look value options to consider. Just because Atalanta haven’t managed an away win this season in any competition and Lyon having scored plenty at home, back the French outfit to get the win.