Scott Thornton’s Europa League Final 17/4 Bet Builder

Bayer Leverkusen are the favourites to lift the trophy and we are backing them to get the job done in regulation time as part of our bet builder.

Xabi Alonso’s side played some exceptional football on their way to winning the German title. They have also shown tremendous character. Leverkusen have been staring down the barrel of defeat a couple of times in recent months but late goals have meant their unbeaten record is intact. This was showcased in their last Europa League match as they came from behind to draw 2-2 with Roma. They have the nerve and the quality to despatch of Atalanta here.

This final will be played in Dublin and Atalanta haven’t fared well away from Bergamo this season. They have won just 12 of their 27 matches away from home. While this one is a neutral venue, that record will be a cause for concern against this marvellous Leverkusen side.

Despite backing them to fall short on Wednesday night, Atalanta should still have some joy when attacking.

Gian Piero Gasperini has proven himself to be an astute tactician for a number of years. His teams look to overload the opposition's defence by committing bodies to the attack. They are also capable of playing through the most aggressive high presses, which was evident in their 3-0 win at Anfield.

Atalanta have scored an average of 1.67 goals per knockout game in the Europa League this season. They have scored in five of those six matches, the exception followed the aforementioned 3-0 win over Liverpool so defending was the priority.

It’s hard to criticise Leverkusen after this remarkable campaign but they have been leaking more goals of late. They have kept just two clean sheets in their last eight matches. Alonso’s men have also conceded an average of 1.17 goals per game in the knockout stages of the Europa League.

Bayer Leverkusen won the most corners in the Bundesliga with an average of 6.94 per game. They have won even more in the knockout stages of the Europa League. Xabi Alonso’s side have had an average of 7.67 per game since the group stages. They are the favourites and will be expecting to be on the front foot once again.

Atalanta are conceding just 3.58 corners per game in the Europa League this season but they are likely to be under the cosh in stages of this match. They conceded 11 corners in their last Europa League match away from Bergamo. Gssperini’s side face a team that have won at least five corners in nine of their last 10 matches.