Everton to open their Europa League campaign with a victory
Premier League Everton have endured a poor start to their season having suffered successive defeats against Chelsea and Tottenham. However, on Thursday the Toffees have a chance to take a break from their tough domestic campaign, as the Merseysiders visit Italian side Atalanta in the Europa League.
The Europa League has been a good competition for the Toffees, as they have won six of their last eight games in the competition, including qualifiers. Ronald Koeman’s side defeated Hajduk Split 3-1 on aggregate in the play-off, as a 1-1 draw in Croatia last time out sealed the Toffees place in the group stages of the competition.
The Toffees kept three cleans in in their four games in making it to the group stage. However, the visitor's defence has been exposed in the Premier League, as they have conceded five goals in their last two outings.
Everton’s away record in the Europa League is a mixed one, but they have suffered just one defeat in their last seven away games in Europe’s secondary competition.
Atalanta were one of the surprise packages in Serie A last season. However, the Bergamo outfit have picked up just three points from their first three games in the Italian top-flight, although like Everton, Gian Piero Gasperini’s side have faced two of last season’s top three from Serie A already this season.
The home side did get back to winning ways last time out though, beating Sassuolo 2-1, so will be heading into this clash in good spirits.
Atalanta have never played in the Europa League in its current guise, although the home side reached the UEFA Cup quarter-finals in 1991 when they were beaten by compatriots Inter.
This clash could be an interesting one and Forebet predicts that the out of form Toffees will record a much-needed win in Bergamo.
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