Our betting expert has three Marseille vs Atalanta tips for Thursday’s Europa League semi-final, first leg at the Stade Velodrome (kick-off, 8pm BST). Scroll down for the analysis behind his selections.

Marseille vs Atalanta betting tips

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Atalanta can land away win

Atalanta have built on their 3-1 aggregate victory over Liverpool in the quarter-finals, posting back-to-back Serie A wins either side of a Coppa Italia semi-final victory over Fiorentina, and they can continue their recent purple patch by defeating Marseille at the Stade Velodrome.

Gian Piero Gasperini’s side delivered one of the best performances in this season’s competition when they triumphed 3-0 at Anfield. They played with composure and quality, and were not in the slightest bit flattered by the margin of victory.

They need to be prepared for another tricky test against Marseille, who are unbeaten in their past nine Europa League home fixtures.

However, the French side are hampered by injuries to key midfielder Valentin Rongier and left-back Quentin Merlin and they may struggle to prevent a first-leg defeat.

Marseille vs Atalanta tip 1: Atalanta to win @ 37/20 with BetMGM

Scamacca worth a shot

The goals have been flying in for Gianluca Scamacca, who looks like posing the main threat for Atalanta in the south of France.

Scamacca has been in and out of Gasperini’s starting line-up this season but he is doing his utmost to nail down a more regular place.

The 25-year-old has notched eight goals in his previous 10 appearances in all competitions, including a double in last month’s win at Liverpool.

Scamacca was an unused substitute in Sunday’s 2-0 home win over Empoli but has started all four of Atalanta’s matches in the Europa League knockout rounds – scoring four goals – and looks overpriced at 11/5 to notch in the first leg against Marseille.

Marseille vs Atalanta tip 2: Gianluca Scamacca to score any time @ 11/5 with BetMGM

Koopmeiners underpins bet builder

Attacking midfielder Teun Koopmeiners has reached double figures for goals in each of the previous two campaigns and his accurate long-range shooting could test Marseille keeper Pau Lopez’s reflexes. He is a threat from open play and set-pieces and looks overpriced to have at least one shot on target.

Atalanta possess plenty of offensive weapons but they have kept only two clean sheets in their last 13 away games. There have been at least three goals in five of their past seven matches and over 2.5 goals looks a sensible play here.

Their efforts to stem Marseille’s attacks are likely to be marshalled by combative holding midfielder Marten de Roon. The veteran Dutchman has been booked 10 times in Serie A this season and may add to that tally tonight.

Backing Koopmeiners to post a shot on target, over 2.5 match goals and De Roon for a card pays out 17/2 with our bet builder.

Marseille vs Atalanta tip 3: Bet builder – Teun Koopmeiners to have a shot on target, over 2.5 goals and Marten de Roon to be carded @ 17/2 with BetMGM

Marseille vs Atalanta odds

Odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.

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