All eyes will be on the Europa League final as Bayer Leverkusen gun for their unprecedented unbeaten season and historic treble, set to take on Serie A's Atalanta in Dublin.
Leverkusen have already set the European record for the longest unbeaten streak in top-flight football history, with their aggregate win over Roma becoming their 49th straight match without defeat. Now, they hope to reach the Europa League final on May 22 with a shot at setting up a historic finish to the season.
They'll meet Atalanta, who are in a vicious battle with Roma for fifth in the Serie A table, which is a qualifying place for next year's Champions League thanks to Italy's performance in Europe this season. They can confirm their spot in the competition next year by winning here, regardless of table finish, which would be a famous win over the apparent team of destiny.
With the matchup set, the run-up to the game can officially begin and the two clubs now look forward to two weeks of preparation and speculation. The Sporting News gets things started with an early look at the match for all the marbles on May 22.
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Europa League final odds for Bayer Leverkusen vs. Atalanta
According to BetMGM, Bayer Leverkusen are unsurprisingly the early betting favorite, and given their status as the unbeaten European darlings, that is unlikely to change as the match draws nearer. Here are the full initial odds as available from BetMGM in the United States.
Odds as of May 11, 2024, via BetMGM in the United States.
| BetMGM (USA) | |
| Bayer 04 win (90 mins) | -125 |
| Draw (90 mins) | +270 |
| Atalanta win (90 mins) | +340 |
| Both teams to score | Y: -125 N: -115 |
| Over / Under 2.5 goals | O: -120 U: -120 |
| Bayer Leverkusen to lift the trophy | -250 |
| Atalanta to lift the trophy | +188 |
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Atalanta expert picks for Europa League final
Kyle Bonn: Bayer Leverkusen
At this stage of the season, after everything Xabi Alonso has dragged this team through, picking against the European darlings would be not just foolhardy but downright silly. Atalanta are an extremely well-coached team, and will be up to the challenge, but Leverkusen have pulled too many rabbits out of too many hats this year to think they can't do it again. Even if Die Workself fall behind early, you can fully expect Xabi Alonso to have a comeback plan, given how many times they've wrestled results from the jaws of defeat this season. (Follow Kyle on X/Twitter)
Dom Farrell: Atalanta
Rightly, Leverkusen's phenomenal unbeaten season is the story of European football in 2023/24. But if we know one thing about Gian Piero Gasperini and his fine Atalanta side it's that they don't care one bit about tidy narratives. Remember Jürgen Klopp's bid for farewell European glory? That was all going just swimming until Atalanta took Liverpool apart at Anfield.
Gasperini has rebuilt and remodelled his side over recent years and La Dea are a live dog in this fight. They are not quite as eye-catching as the Papu Gomez and Josip Ilicic vintage of a few years ago, but they are fifth in Serie A, a point behind Juventus who narrowly defeated them in the Coppa Italia final. Leverkusen have swept all before them this season, but their recent run of dramatic late draws suggests a team running slightly on fumes. If that is the case, Atalanta and their wily coach are more than good enough to capitalise. (Follow Dom on X/Twitter)
Dan Gibbs: Bayer Leverkusen
The chance to create history and keep them on track for a historic treble is enough motivation for Xabi Alonso's men, that no team is going to stand in their way. It may not be a goal-fest like some of Leverkusen's matches this season but they'll find a way to edge past their opponent in Dublin. (Follow Dan on X/Twitter)
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Atalanta final score prediction
Two of our writers picked Bayer Leverkusen to win the Europa League final, while one is backing Atalanta to ruin the unbeaten season. Here are the tabulated results along with a final score prediction from each expert.
| Writer | Winner | Final Score |
| Kyle Bonn | Bayer Leverkusen | 2-1 |
| Dom Farrell | Atalanta | 2-1 |
| Dan Gibbs | Bayer Leverkusen | 1-0 |
How to watch 2024 Europa League final
| TV channel | Streaming | |
| USA | CBS, Telemundo | Fubo USA, Paramount+ |
| Canada | — | DAZN |
| UK | TNT Sports 1 | discovery+ |
| India | — | Sony LIV, JioTV |
The 2024 Europa League final on May 22 will be televised in the United States on CBS, with streaming on the company's dedicated platform Paramount+, the home for every single match of the competition. The game will also be televised in Spanish on Telemundo.
Both CBS and Telemundo can be found on Fubo, who are offering a FREE trial for new users.
In the UK, the match will be televised by UEFA rights-holders TNT Sports 1, with streaming on their dedicated platform discovery+. In Canada, the match will be streamed on DAZN, where every game of the competition can be found.