UEFA Europa League 2023-24: Final, ATA vs BAY, Match Prediction – Who will win today’s match?

Match Preview:

They meet Atalanta BC (ATA) in the UEFA Europa League final in Dublin on Wednesday, hoping to clinch the second leg of a potential treble. With Saturday's 2-1 victory against Augsburg, Die Werkself became the first Bundesliga team to go unbeaten in a season, alongside Arsenal (in 2003-04) and Juventus (2011-12) as the sole teams to do it in Europe's top five leagues this century. 

Bayer Leverkusen (BAY) had already surpassed their performance in the 2001-02 season, when they gained the nickname 'Neverkusen' after coming second in the Bundesliga, UEFA Champions League, and DFB-Pokal. Alonso has orchestrated one of the best seasons in recent memory, and Leverkusen's next goal is to cap it off with two more trophies, including a DFB-Pokal final versus Kaiserslautern on Saturday.

ATA vs BAY Match Details:

ATA vs BAY: Head to Head Record

So far these two teams have met only twice and on both ocassions the Italian side have had the upper hand of Xabi Alonso's side however the latter team have been in amazing form as they would like to continue their unbeaten streak and win the final as well. 

Injury and Suspension Concern 

Atalanta  

Emil Holm (Doubtful), Marten de Roon and Sead Kolasinac  

Bayer Leverkusen 

No injuries or suspensions

ATA vs BAY: Probable Playing XI 

Atalanta  

Musso (GK); Djimsiti, Hien, Tolói; Zappacosta, Ederson, Koopmeiners, Ruggeri; De Ketelaere, Lookman; Scamacca

Bayer Leverkusen

Kovář (GK); Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Andrich, Xhaka, Grimaldo; Wirtz, Hofmann; Boniface

Today's Match Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen to win the match

The competition for the UEFA Europa League crown is sure to be fascinating. Atalanta has a history of success against the Germans, but Leverkusen has been in top form all season. By the end of the game, Xabi Alonso's troops should have the trophy in hand. 

Leverkusen remains unbeaten in 51 games across all competitions during the current campaign (42 wins, nine draws), including 12 of those matches occurring in the Europa League (nine wins, three draws). Three teams have already won the trophy unbeaten: Chelsea during 2018-19, Villarreal in 2020-21, and Eintracht Frankfurt during 2021-22.  

Gian Piero Gasperini's side might potentially become the first Italian side to win the Europa League, as past winners have only come from Spain, Portugal, England, or Germany. The last Serie A club to take home the trophy it succeeded, the UEFA Cup, was Parma during 1999.