Hapoel Haifa – Atalanta Prediction & Picks (09.08.2018)

Hapoel Haifa and Atalanta meet at Sammy Ofer Stadium, in a match for this phase of the UEFA Europa League (3rd Qualifying Round). There is only one record of 1 direct confrontation in the last 3 years between these two teams, on 22-07-2015, which ended with the victory of Atalanta by (3-1). Attention to the house factor, since the Hapoel Haifa usually conquers different results at home and abroad.

Hapoel Haifa:

The home team reaches this stage of the UEFA Europa League (3rd Qualifying Round) after a win by (0-1) and a home draw by (1-1) with the FH. This is a team that, oddly enough, has had better results in away matches than at home, since in the last 30 matches they register 6 wins, 6 draws and 3 losses in away matches; against 4 wins, 6 draws and 5 losses at their stadium. In the last 10 home matches Hapoel Haifa has won 3, tied 3 and lost 4. The away team has conceded goals in 9 of the last 10 matches, so their defense needs to improve, but their attack He has scored regularly, since he scored goals in 9 of the last 10 matches.

Hapoel Haifa comes to this match with a win away from home on the FH, by 0-1, thus achieving access to this tie of the Europa League: Eli Elbaz was the hero, scoring the only goal. Despite playing at home, coach Nir Klinger must keep the team in a 4-3-3, benefiting the defensive organization and the direct passes for the attack, especially towards Papazoglou. Of note that the locals have several weaknesses in the maintenance of ball possession and completion. For this game the local coach has all the staff at his disposal.

Atalanta:

The away team comes to this stage of the UEFA Europa League (3rd Qualifying Round) after an away win by (0-8) and a home draw by (2-2) with Sarajevo. This is a team that usually maintains its competitive levels in home and away matches, since in the last 30 matches they register 8 wins, 3 draws and 4 losses in away matches, with 31 goals scored and 12 conceded; against 8 wins, 5 draws and 2 losses at their stadium, with 30 goals scored and 13 conceded. In the last 10 away matches Atalanta has won 4, tied 2 and lost 4. The team has conceded goals in 7 of the last 10 matches, so their defense needs to improve, but their attack has scored regularly, since they have scored goals in 9 of the last 10 matches. There is a tendency for goals in their away matches, since 24 of the last 27 matches have ended with Over 1,5 goals.

Atalanta arrives at this stage of the Europa League after beating Sarajevo without major difficulties, by beating away from home by 0-8. In this game away from home, coach Gian Piero Gasperini is expected to play in 3-5-2, benefiting possession of the ball and organized attacks, looking in most cases for the advanced Musa Barrow: this player is one of the Great dangers on the attack front. It is important to remember that this player scored three times in the last duel. There are no absences of weight for this game.