Thursday Europa League predictions: Leverkusen look up to the task in Bergamo

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Atalanta v Bayer Leverkusen and Braga v Monaco in the Europa League on Thursday.

Where to watch

BT Sport from 8pm, Thursday

Best bets

Bayer Leverkusen or draw double chance v Atalanta 8pm
2pts 5-6 BoyleSports, Hills

Monaco to beat Braga 8pm
1pt 31-20 bet365, Coral, Ladbrokes

Thursday's preview

Atalanta have won the hearts of neutrals across Europe with their barnstorming performances in recent seasons but they could be worth taking on in their clash with Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16 of the Europa League.

Leverkusen are impressing in the Bundesliga and on course for a top-three finish, and Thursday's first leg in Bergamo could be tighter than anticipated.

Leverkusen have thrashed Borussia Dortmund 5-2 and drawn with Bayern Munich 1-1 since the start of February and both of those matches were on the road.

They can at least avoid defeat against Atalanta, who are likely to again be without key forwards Duvan Zapata and Josip Ilicic and have won only three of their last ten matches.

Monaco exceeded expectations to top a group featuring Real Sociedad and PSV earlier this season and, fresh from winning away to Marseille in Ligue 1, they can come out on top against Braga.

Hosts Braga are fourth in the Primeira Liga but are 11 points adrift of third spot and have failed to beat Boavista and Santa Clara in their last two league games.

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