Athletic Bilbao welcome Manchester United to the San Mames Barria in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League (UEL) semi-final on Thursday night.
The Spaniards beat Rangers 2-0 on aggregate in the quarter-finals, and after beating Las Palmas 1-0 at home in La Liga last time out, have only lost once in 10 games over all competitions. Bilbao are also unbeaten at home since January, giving United a tough task if they want to head back to Old Trafford in the second leg with an aggregate lead.
The Red Devils qualified for the semi-finals in the most dramatic of circumstances, after late goals against 10-man Lyon in the second leg of their quarter-final saw them win 5-4 at Old Trafford after extra-time, and triumphing 7-6 on aggregate overall. An injury-time goal also rescued them a point at 10-man Bournemouth in the Premier League last time out, but the victory over Lyon represents their only one in seven matches across all competitions.
United have also struggled against Bilbao historically, having failed to beat them in the previous three H2Hs. However, with the UEL their only chance of winning silverware and being in European competition next season due to their poor league position, Ruben Amorim's side will be extremely determined to get a positive result ahead of the second leg.
How the bookies view it: Bilbao odds-on favourites
BoyleSports have Bilbao as just odds-on favourites to clinch a first-leg lead at 20/21, while a draw is valued at 9/4 and a United win at 13/5 with the same bookmaker.
Recent head-to-head: Bilbao Nic draw in friendly
These two teams last met in a friendly in Dublin in 2023, with the game ending in a 1-1 draw. Nico Williams gave Bilbao the lead in the first half, but the now departed Facundo Pellistri equalised in injury time, a familiar theme for United in recent matches.
Players to watch: Williams brothers could crush United
Nico and Inaki Williams are so crucial to Bilbao, as the former has demonstrated by scoring five goals in their previous six UEL home games, while the latter netted the winner against Las Palmas last time out. Nico is priced slightly further out than his brother Inaki (5/2) to score anytime against United at 10/3 with BoyleSports, a price that seems too big to turn down given his previous exploits at home in the competition.
Rasmus Hojlund grabbed a confidence-boosting late goal to earn the Red Devils a draw against Bournemouth last time out, and all eyes will be on him to see if he can follow it up in Spain.
Predicted lineups
Oihan Sancet, who has scored 18 goals from midfield in all competitions so far this season, will be missing with injury in a big blow for Bilbao.
United trio Amad Diallo, Toby Collyer and Matthijs de Ligt are nearing returns, but the first leg will likely come too soon for them.
Athletic Bilbao: Simon, Gorosabel, Vivian, Alvarez, Berchiche, Ruiz de Galarreta, Jauregizar, I Williams, Berenguer, N Williams, Guruzeta.
Manchester United: Onana, Yoro, Maguire, Shaw, Mazraoui, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu, Fernandes, Garnacho, Hojlund.
Anything else catch the eye?
The previous three H2Hs have seen both teams score, so backing Both Teams To Score (BTTS) again at 20/23 with BoyleSports holds some value. Given Bilbao's imperious home form but United's habit of scoring late goals recently, a First/Last Goal projection of Athletic Bilbao/Manchester United at 4/1 with the same bookmaker also seems a worthy punt.
This UEFA Europa League match between Athletic Bilbao and Manchester United will be played on and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Athletic Bilbao vs Manchester United prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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