RKS Rakow Czestochowa vs Atalanta Prediction & Betting Tips - Europa League

Prediction published on 14/12/2023, 06:45  by Kennedy Kechula in Europa League Predictions

Rakow Czestochowa will host Atalanta on Thursday in a do-or-die Europa League final day group match. The two teams have been competing in Group D where Atalanta have already been confirmed as group winners and Rakow are fourth. Rakow Czestochowa have to win here if they are to stand any chance of continuing their European journey in the lower Conference League. Dawid Szwarga’s men are tied on four points with third-placed Sturm Graz. They are separated by a +1 goal difference. If both teams are to win on the final matchday, then Rakow will have to do so by two more goals than Sturm. Sturm will be away to second-placed Sporting on the same day. Rakow defeated Sturm last time out away from home by a solitary goal to earn their first victory in the group. The Medallions are coming off a 4-2 loss to Jagiellonia Białystok that further weakened the defence of their Polish topflight title.

Atalanta have already secured their place in the knockout rounds and have done so as group winners. Gian Piero Gasperini’s men have accumulated 11 points and are also unbeaten. They have a three-point cushion on second-placed Sporting as well as the head-to-head advantage. The Italian side have won three of their five matches with one of those coming on matchday one against Thursday's opponents. Atalanta won 2-0 and will hope for the same fortune as they plot to end this stage of the competition without defeat. La Dea ended a four-match run without victory by battling to defeat AC Milan in a five-goal thriller last time out in the Serie A. The victory kept them within striking distance of the European places. Atalanta drew 1-1 with Sporting last time out in the group to confirm progress to the next round.