Marseille vs. Atalanta (Thursday, 8.00pm)
© Reuters
Meeting for the first time in European competition, Marseille and Atalanta BC will both seek a crucial first-leg lead as they kick off their Europa League semi-final on Thursday.
With the prize of playing either Roma or new German champions Bayer Leverkusen at stake, neither side can afford to give ground at the iconic Stade Velodrome.
We say: Marseille 1-1 Atalanta BC
Marseille tend to keep things tight on home turf, so they can hold Atalanta at arm's length for most of this first-leg encounter. However, the visitors are a well-oiled machine and their forwards have recently clicked into gear, so they can go back to Lombardy with a level scoreline ahead of next week's return.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Roma vs. B. Leverkusen (Thursday, 8.00pm)
© Reuters
Once again pitted together in the Europa League semi-finals, Roma and Bayer Leverkusen will reconvene at Stadio Olimpico for Thursday's first leg.
The new German champions seek revenge for losing in last season's semis and aim to meet either Marseille or Atalanta BC in this term's Dublin decider; meanwhile, the hosts boast an abundance of know-how from their recent exploits in Europe.
We say: Roma 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen
The impetus is on Roma to take a first-leg lead, due to their weak away record, so the hosts cannot simply sit back and soak up pressure at a packed Stadio Olimpico. Leverkusen have shown they are not impregnable in recent weeks, but having scored some 17 goals after the 88th minute this season, another late strike may send them back to Germany on level terms.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Ben Knapton
