Athletic Bilbao vs Manchester United predictions, odds and betting tips
A Europa League triumph would save what has otherwise been a miserable season for Manchester United. Ruben Amorim has the chance to win a trophy in his first campaign at the helm.
Athletic Bilbao stand in their way. They are a serious side capable of causing United problems. Can the Red Devils come out on top in the Basque Country?
Athletic Bilbao vs Manchester United best betsAthletic Bilbao to win – 19/20 with BetfredUnder 2.5 goals – 4/6 with Paddy PowerInaki Williams to score any time – 21/10 with bet365Athletic Bilbao vs Manchester United oddsFind the latest match odds for Athletic Bilbao vs Manchester United. All odds are provided by our best football betting sites. Odds are subject to change.
Athletic Bilbao vs Manchester United predictionsManchester United are not yet guaranteed a bottom-half finish in the Premier League, but no one expects them to clamber into the top 10 in the weeks ahead.
With just four rounds of fixtures remaining, United are 11 points adrift of Bournemouth in 10th. Whatever happens from here, this will officially go down as the Red Devilsâ worst ever Premier League campaign.
How the mighty have fallen. Thirteen of Unitedâs 20 titles have come in the Premier League era. Now they could easily finish fourth-bottom.
All is not lost just yet, however. United can still win a trophy this season, and that is the name of the game after all.
Ruben Amorim is potentially three games away from an achievement that even Alex Ferguson did not manage: a piece of silverware in his first campaign as United boss.
Much like Tottenham Hotspur, United have essentially checked out of the Premier League. They scored a last-gasp equaliser to draw 1-1 with Bournemouth on Sunday, but the result did not matter a great deal.
United have quite understandably placed all their eggs in the Europa League basket, as a run of five Premier League games without a win indicates.
They beat Lyon in dramatic fashion last time out. Trailing 6-4 on aggregate with six minutes of extra time remaining, United scored three goals at Old Trafford to turn the quarter-final on its head. It was an extraordinary comeback, even for a club with a history of them in Europe.
Another tough test awaits in the last four. Athletic Bilbao are fourth in La Liga, behind only the big three of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.
The Europa League final will be held at their own stadium, providing Ernesto Valverdeâs team another source of motivation.
Amorim knows that his players need to perform better than they did against Bournemouth, when United struggled to break down an opponent playing with 10 men.
âToday we pushed our opponent, especially after the sending-off. We had the chances, but again we didn’t score [until stoppage time],â he said.Â
“The way Bournemouth defend is quite similar to [Athletic]. We can take things from this game. But again, it is a new history, and we must do better.â
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Athletic Bilbao vs Manchester United betting tips. 18+ GambleAware.org â Please play responsibly.Athletic Bilbao vs Manchester United betting tipsAthletic Bilbao host Manchester United in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final.
Athletic Bilbao to winIt is easy to see why many followers of the Premier League are anticipating a Manchester United vs Tottenham final, but Athletic Bilbao are the strongest side still in the tournament.
San Mames, which hosts the final on May 21, is a real fortress for the Basque outfit, who have lost just one La Liga game at home this term – fewer even than Barcelona and Real Madrid.
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In the Europa League, meanwhile, Athletic have won six matches out of six in front of their own supporters.
United remain a work in progress – and that is being kind. True, they have raised their game on the continent this season, but that might not be enough against Athletic.
A victory for the hosts is the most likely outcome on Thursday.Â
✠Go for Athletic Bilbao to win at 19/20 with Betfred âœ
Under 2.5 goalsManchester United and Lyon shared 13 goals across their two-legged quarter-final. We are unlikely to see something similar here.
Those goal-laden games were out of keeping with how Amorimâs team have generally fared this season. United have been better defensively than going forward for most of 2024/25.
Athletic Bilbao have been involved in more than their fair share of low-scoring matches as well.
Their La Liga games average just 2.3 goals, the fourth-lowest figure in Spainâs top flight. In their quarter-final against Rangers, there were just two strikes in 180 minutes.
Goals will probably be at a premium in this one.
✠Back under 2.5 goals at 4/6 with Paddy Power âœ
Inaki Williams to score any timeIn a major blow to Athletic Bilbao, their top scorer Oihan Sancet has been ruled out of the first leg with an injury.
That makes it even more important that Nico Williams is passed fit to feature. The latest reports suggest the Spain international will be involved, but that is far from certain.
If both Sancet and Williams are out, others will have to step up in their place. Much of the responsibility will fall on the shoulders of Inaki Williams, a club legend who has scored over 100 goals for his boyhood team.
Eleven of those efforts have come this season, including five in the Europa League. Worryingly for United, the older of the Williams brothers tends to save his best form for this competition.
✠Choose Inaki Williams to score any time at 21/10 with bet365 âœ
đș How to watch Athletic Bilbao vs Manchester UnitedLocation: San Mames, Bilbao, Spain.Date and time: Thursday 1st May, 8pm.How to watch: TNT Sports 1.Read more about the 2024/25 football seasonPremier League top scorer oddsChampions League winner oddsChampionship promotion oddsAbout the author
Greg Lea
Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.
Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball
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