Athletic Bilbao vs Man Utd prediction, odds, tips & team news | OneFootball

Athletic Bilbao host Man Utd in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday, May 1st, at 8pm (UK time).

Athletic Bilbao to Win (21/20 with William Hill)

With the final of the Europa League being played at Bilbao’s San Mames Stadium, the Spanish side have added incentive to progress to the final, which would give them an advantage over either Spurs or Bodo Glimt. Over the last two campaigns, Bilbao have been incredibly solid at home, losing just two of their last 42 home games across La Liga and European competitions. Those defeats came against Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, and with Manchester United having failed to win in 90 minutes across their last seven matches, I think there’s plenty of reason to get behind the hosts on Thursday.

Manuel Ugarte to be Carded & Nico Williams to Score (11/1 with Paddy Power)

No player has been shown more cards for Manchester United this season than Ugarte, who has racked up nine in 26 league appearances, at an average of 0.5 cards per 90 minutes. The Uruguayan has also been booked twice in the FA Cup and twice in the Europa League this term.

Paired with Ugarte to find his way into the book is Nico Williams to score anytime, which takes us up to a very backable 11/1 via the Paddy Power Bet Builder feature.  The 22-year-old is averaging a healthy 2.3 shots per game in Europe this season, and has netted five goals in 11 starts. Other firms have this double at around just 7/1, so take the generous offering from Paddy Power.

How both teams go into Athletic Bilbao vs Man Utd

After finishing third in the inaugural Europa League group phase with a record of five wins and three draws, the only side to finish undefeated, Man Utd were drawn against Real Sociedad—who had to come through the playoffs—in the Round of 16, eventually triumphing 5-2 on aggregate: drawing 1-1 in Spain before winning 4-1 at Old Trafford. Lyon were next in the quarter-finals; again, the opening leg ended in a stalemate (2-2), which set the stage for an incredible second leg in Manchester. The game ended 2-2, with the visiting French team leading 4-2 in extra time. In the final six minutes, Ruben Amorim’s men staged a remarkable comeback, netting three unanswered goals, with Harry Maguire sealing victory in the 121st minute.

Athletic Bilbao were one of two clubs that boasted a better league phase record than United (six wins, one draw, and one loss), meaning they also started the knockout phase in the Round of 16. This saw them face Roma, who claimed success in the opening leg at home (2–1), before this season’s final host reversed the scoreline at San Mamés, leading to a 4–3 aggregate success. They would meet Rangers in the quarter-finals, with the tie hanging in the balance after nothing could separate the clubs in Glasgow as they played out a goalless draw. Things would be different back in Spain, as Ernesto Valverde’s men ran out 2–0 winners, subsequently keeping their hopes of winning Europe’s second major competition on home soil alive.

Athletic Bilbao team news

Yuri Berchiche, who is dealing with a calf injury, should return in time for the Europa League semi-final.

Man Utd team news

Lisandro Martínez and Joshua Zirkzee have been ruled out for Manchester United until next season, while Amad Diallo, who is hoping to return before the 2024/25 season concludes, is expected to miss this game. Ayden Heaven, Matthijs de Ligt and Jonny Evans could be available for the Red Devils.

Athletic Bilbao vs Man Utd head-to-head

This will be the fifth competitive meeting between Athletic Bilbao and Man Utd, with the Red Devils triumphing 6-5 on aggregate in the 1956/57 European Cup. Before the Basque side gained a semblance of revenge 55 years later when a Marcelo Bielsa-led team claimed a 5-3 aggregate success en route to the final, where they were stopped by La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid.

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