Football is full of ironies. Some teams spend £100 million on a defensive midfielder and top the league table for most of the season, only to finish second with the now-familiar “next year is our year” mantra ringing a familiar, yet tired beat. Some break their transfer record to sign the best striker in world football, only to experience their first trophyless season in 12 years and leave the striker still chasing his first trophy win. Two games from immortality, we can confidently say that other teams have had unbeaten seasons, but not like this, not quite like Bayer Leverkusen. Five days from sporting immortality, the only obstacles to an unprecedented invincible season for Xabi Alonso’s side are Tuesday night’s opponents: Atalanta and FC Kaiserslautern on Saturday.
**Can Leverkusen’s fairytale season continue?** Bayer Leverkusen are on the brink of achieving something truly remarkable - an invincible treble. They won the Bundesliga in dominant fashion, 17 points clear of second-place Stuttgart, all without losing a single game (W28, D6). Their unbeaten streak has now lasted for 51 games (W42, D9), the longest run since the introduction of European club competitions. They are just two games away from immortality, the Europa League final in Dublin against Atalanta, and the German Cup final against Kaiserslautern just three days later. Alonso’s men are on the cusp of something that has never been done before, and no one can bet against them, not even the most skeptical online betting experts.
**Will Atalanta rise to the occasion?** Motivation will certainly not be an issue for Atalanta, who are seeking their first European trophy since 1963. Led by the evergreen Gian Piero Gasperini, they have defied expert betting tips and football predictions and gone toe to toe with anyone in their path. To get to this stage, they had to get past Sporting CP, Liverpool and Marseille, and the Italians are hungry for more. **Head-to-Head** Atalanta and Leverkusen have faced each other just twice in the past with the Italian side winning both games. Ironically both fixtures were in the 2021/22 Europa knockout round. Atalanta won 4-2 on Aggregate to progress to the quarterfinals, only to be eliminated by RB Leipzig. **Players to watch.** In a game as big as this, each team will look to its difference maker. Both teams have several players who can deliver a telling pass, winning goal, or crucial block but there’s one specific player that they’ll both look to for that elusive moment of magic. Every player wants to be the hero, but some shine brighter than others. Whether you are just a fan, or an online bettor hoping to win by making a full-time prediction on this game, there are two players that can be relied upon to produce that moment of magic.
**Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen)** - 18 goals and 19 assists in 47 appearances this season - 4 goals and 4 assists in 10 Europa League games - Averages 2.6 shots and 2.5 key passes per game Wirtz is a creative genius, and a real driving force for Alonso’s men. The 21-year-old is blessed with elite dribbling, close control, and the ability to fashion chances out of almost nothing. When he’s not creating chances for the likes of Victor Boniface to convert, he is finishing them off himself. He has struggled with a thigh injury in recent weeks, but if he is at his best against Atalanta, the Serie A side are in for a long night.
**Ademola Lookman (Atalanta)** - 12 goals and 7 assists in 41 appearances this season. - 2 goals and 1 assist in 10 Europa League games. - Averages 3.1 shots and 1.5 key passes per game. Super Eagles winger Lookman will be Gasperini’s best bet to unlock Leverkusen in the final third. He has grown from strength to strength since arriving from Leipzig, and his partnership with Gianluca Scammaca has played a crucial role in this run to the final. Scammaca will be eager to light up this final after missing the Coppa Italia final against Juventus due to a suspension. He has scored six goals in his last seven Europa League games, and 18 goals in all competitions. A real surprise, considering his form at West Ham last year caused many to write him off. He’s back, and his combination with Lookman could be deadly.
**Key stats** Atalanta are on a 12-game run in the UEFA Europa League that features just one defeat (W7, D4), while scoring in 23 of their last 25 European games. **The last 3 UEFA Europa League finals have gone to extra-time.** **Bayer Leverkusen have scored 16 goals in their last 5 games.** **Prediction** Leverkusen have had a remarkable campaign, scoring goals for fun and running over most teams in their way. They have also shown no signs of faltering under pressure or being hindered by the magnitude of their achievements so far. While Atalanta have been impressive in reaching the final, including securing that famous 3-0 win at Anfield, this will likely prove a step too far for the Italians. Our bet of the day is a win for Leverkusen. **Betting Tips**
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