Atalanta v Borussia Dortmund Betting Tip Both teams to score – 22 February 2018

Goals expected in Italy.

Europa League Tips

Thursday 22nd February 2018 Kick off 2005hrs Atalanta v Borussia Dortmund Football – Europe – Europa League You would struggle to find a better first leg than the one we got in Dortmund last week as the Bundesliga giants edged ahead of Atalanta by the odd goal in five. It’s not the competition that Borussia Dortmund would have hoped to be competing in after Christmas but now that they are they have become one of the competition’s favourites. Atalanta are very dangerous though, as proven with their two away goals last week, and now they have returned home will fancy themselves capable of springing a famous result.

Atalanta are novices when it comes to European football but they have taken it in their stride this season by qualifying from a group that contained a very experienced and skilled Lyon team and a big spending Everton. The Serie A club won four and drew two of their six group games which is an excellent achievement. If they had to handpick a team to get in the first knockout phase you would assume Dortmund would be one team they would like to avoid but after their exploits in Germany last week – when Josip Ilicic notched twice – they have given themselves a great chance of progressing to the next stage. Playing at home is also a real advantage going by their group stage form having won all three in front of their own fans.

There has been plenty of upheaval at Dortmund this season and the recent sale of star player Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang only added to the disruption that has been persistent over the past few months. Michy Batshuayi was brought in to replace Aubameyang and the Belgian striker has hit the ground running at his new club, scoring five goals in his first four games. It was his double last week, one of them coming in added time, which ensured Dortmund travelled to Germany with a lead intact. If they are to progress, however, they will have to improved on their away from in Europe where they have found it really difficult of late. A draw with APOEL is the only positive result they have gained on the road in their last five Champions League games, but they do have a decent record when away from home in this competition. Their last participation was 2016, and whilst not regulars in the lesser of the two ‘Leagues’, It’s only two defeats in their last 11.

Atalanta v Borussia Dortmund Betting Tip

The first leg had many twists and turns and the smart money would be on that happening again. Atalanta have struggled for consistency since the turn of the year in Serie A and their home record has plummeted as a result. They’ll be hoping that the return to the Europa League will see an upturn in their fortunes. Dortmund have gotten their act together of late in the Bundesliga and were able to edge a win in the first leg against Atalanta taking their unbeaten run in all competitions to seven games. What will be just as pleasing for their coach is that they have been able to win two consecutive away games in the league for only the second time this campaign.

Defences were most definitely not on top last week and that is likely to repeat itself here. Both teams to score and Over 2.5 goals looks very likely considering the circumstances of this game.

Both teams to score and Over 2.5 goals 39/50 @ Marathon Bet