Fulham against Atlético Madrid is one of the more unlikely pairings for a European Final, because Fulham are novices at this level and Atlético began the season with high hopes in the Champions League.

Fulham’s run has been a massive surprise but there is no doubting the quality of the teams they have despatched- Shahtar Donetsk, Juventus, Wolfsburg and Hamburg in the knockout roundsm plus Roma in the group stages.

• You Can Bet On this match: Athletico Madrid v Fulham Europa League Final

Atlético are another quality outfit to get past, despite their mediocre league form. The team from the capital were fourth last season and expected to make a bold challenge in the Champions League but it all went wrong for them.

The Europa League run has saved their campaign. Although they have lived dangerously at times, there is no doubting the attacking talent they can deploy with Diego Forlan, Sergio Aguero, Jose Reyes and Simao to call on.

Tactical Fulham Pose Threat

Fulham have made their way by being tactically aware, compact as a team and highly disciplined- that isn’t going to change for the final because Atlético present a real danger on the counter-attack.

Roy Hodgson is under no pressure to make the running in the game and will be quite happy to allow Atletico to come forward. However, the ‘Rojiblancos’ coach, Quique Sanches Flores, has also been cagey in this competition. Twice his team progressed by securing a 0-0 draw at home after scoring in the away leg.

This fixture has the makings of a ‘traditional’ European Final where the two sides feel each other out and search for an opening. Fulham will be desperate to have Bobby Zamora leading the line as the Englishman has kept defences occupied almost single-handedly in Europe.

• You Can Bet On this match: Athletico Madrid v Fulham Europa League Final

Hodgson will surely stick to his 4-5-1 formation asking Zoltan Gera and Damian Duff (if fit) to get close to Zamora. The Cottagers desperately need Zamora and Duff to be available and in good health if they are to list the trophy.

Focus on Aguero & Simao

Aguero is very much in the shop window as he’s talked about as a big money summer signing for one of Europe’s biggest clubs. Forlan has become a big game player who gets critical goals- he netted in both legs against Liverpool in the semi-final.

Simao will be leading light for Portugal in the World Cup and Fulham will want their midfielders to give protection to the back four as he and Reyes like to run at defences by cutting inside from wide.

Athlético are a better side than their La Liga position suggests and it will take iron discipline and patience from Fulham to prevail. Goals should be at a premium and the match could well go to extra time or be decided by one strike.

Related posts:

1. An All-English Europa League Final Is On The Cards
2. FA Cup Predictions: Fulham v Tottenham – A Tight Derby Expected
3. Europa League Predictions: Fulham Can Hold On At Wolfsburg

ToteSport bookmaker will give you £60 in Free Bets. Click here to check them out.

At the moment they are as far down as tenth position in La Liga.

Athlético have lost a massive fifteen league games- an astonishing figure for a club of their stature. It’s not what was expected when Quique Sanchez Flores was appointed coach back in October, to replace Abel Resino.

Athlético were fourth last year, winning a place in the Champions League; but the team performed poorly in that competition which resulted in their demotion to the Europa League like Liverpool- which cost Resino his job.

What will worry Rafa Benitez though, is the way the Spanish club have come through to the semi-finals of this competition. Sanchez Flores’s squad still haven’t played well but have found a way to win ties despite their indifferent form.

Bet on this match: Athlético Madrid v Liverpool

The team from the Spanish capital have come through three ties and in those six matches they have only won once. In their last two ties against Sporting Lisbon and Valencia they have progressed on away goals on each occasion.

In the powerhouse quarter-final with La Liga rivals Valencia, the ‘Rojiblancos’ played out a tense goalless affair on their own pitch after grabbing two away goals. The star forward pairing of Diego Forlan and Sergio Aguero couldn’t find a way through to give their fans an easier night.

Forlan and Aguero are perhaps more dangerous away from the Vicente Calderon Stadium when they can play on the counter-attack, The same thing happened against Sporting in the last 16- Athlético forced a 2-2 result in Portugal and then held the Lisbon team at home

Everything points to a cautious approach by Athletico in Thursday’s first leg as they are confident in their ability to give Liverpool problems at Anfield- not conceding an away goal is likely to be their priority.

With Liverpool forced to go into the tie without former Madrid hero Fernando Torres, Athlético may have the edge and the incentive to aim for a victory by any margin, so long as the English team don’t score. 1-0 would satisfy Sanchez Flores.

The hope for Liverpool is that Athlético revert to their domestic form- the ‘Rojiblancos’ have lost their last three La Liga matches and leaked seven goals in the process. Even without Torres and Ryan Babel, Benitez will fancy the chances of scoring at the Calderon.

Though the home team might play it tight, keeping the Reds at bay could be beyond them. The form of both teams points to a possible 1-1 (6.50 at PartyBets.com) result and the tie left in the balance for the second leg.

Related posts:

1. Liverpool, Fulham Europa League Semi-Finals Preview
2. Atlético Madrid and Valencia Clash in all-Spanish Europa League Quarter-Final
3. Europa League Predictions: Lille Are A Stiff Obstacle For Liverpool

ToteSport bookmaker will give you £60 in Free Bets. Click here to check them out.