Europe’s second tier club competition reaches its climax when Marseille take on Atlético Madrid in the final of the 2018 Europa League (EL) at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais in Lyon. For both teams, this represents one final chance to put some silverware in their trophy cabinet this season.
Marseille’s route to the final began in the third qualifying round, culminating in a semi-final 3-2 aggregate success over RB Salzburg. Atlético entered the tournament after dropping out of the Champions League (CL) and booked their place in the final after a 2-1 aggregate win over Arsenal.
The French side have featured in two EL (and UEFA Cup) finals previously, losing to Parma in 1999 and Valencia in 2004. The last time the club won a European trophy was the inaugural 1993 CL.
Atlético are looking for their third win in this tournament after victory in 2010 and 2012 in a competition dominated by Spanish clubs, with the last 14 EL finals seeing eight Iberian winners. Interestingly, the 2010 success was the EL’s inaugural season.
In terms of current form, Marseille have won just one of their last four games (W1, D2, L1) and find themselves in fourth place in Ligue 1 (L1), possibly relying on winning this final to make the CL next season. Atlético look set for second in La Liga (LL) and have won three of their last four games, losing the other.
Players to watch: Antoine Griezmann (ATH) and Florian Thauvin (MAR) will be the two outstanding players on display. Griezmann has four EL goals this season and 19 in LL, while Thauvin has three EL goals under his belt and a season defining 22 L1 goals.
Stat attack: Marseille have only won one of their nine away games in the EL this season. Five of Atlético’s last six away games (all competitions) have seen under 2.5 goals.
2008/’09 is the only time these sides have met before, with Atlético winning 2-1 on aggregate.
Atlético’s record against French clubs is: W6, D5, L1, but they have not beaten a French club in France since 1961.
Marseille’s record against Spanish opposition reads: W4, D3, L8.
prediction; under 2.25
ATM - 0.50
correct score 0-2
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