Europa League: Manchester United vs Athletic Bilbao betting odds, team news and preview

Bet on Manchester United’s Europa League clash against Atletico Bilbao at Housebets.com.

The second leg of this season’s Europa League semifinals takes place on Thursday night, with all eyes on Manchester United’s clash against Athletic Bilbao and Bodo/Glimt’s game against Tottenham Hotspur.

The first leg of the two games was one-sided, but crazier things have happened before in football.

While Spurs’ away trip to Norway is one to keep an eye on, Man Utd’s game against Bilbao at Old Trafford is the main attraction. With that said, let’s take a look at what could happen in the game on Thursday night.

Manchester United vs Athletic Bilbao

A season that has been absolutely disappointing can still end in some sort of joy and success for Manchester United, provided they avoid defeat in their last two games in the Europa League this season.

United have had a terrible campaign in almost all the competitions they entered this season, but the Red Devils have one leg in the Europa League final already as they head into their second-leg semi-final clash against Bilbao.

Ruben Amorim’s men are all but guaranteed a place in the final after they secured a 3-0 win last week in San Mames, which ironically is where the final will take place.

Man Utd did not need to sweat to get what they needed, as the job was done courtesy of a brace from Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro’s strike in the first half.

United now go into the second leg knowing that as long as they do not blow a three-goal lead, they will be one game away from ending the season on a high, which is ironic, considering they have been poor in the league.

The Red Devils sit in 16th place in the Premier League with ten league wins all season. They have lost 16 league games this season, including the 4-3 defeat at Brentford last weekend.

While a potential Europa League title is unlikely to solve all the problems at United, it could be the spring in Amorim’s step in his quest to build a competitive team next season.

As Athletic Bilbao, there is nothing the Ernesto Valverde’s men can do now other than to hope for a miracle. Although they are not in the same situation as Man Utd, Los Leones would have loved to play the final given it’s set for their home ground later this month.

Unlike Man Utd, the Europa League is not Bilbao’s lone chance of qualifying for the Champions League next season.

Valverde’s men are on course to qualify for Europe’s premier competition via the league. Still, they will feel they could have achieved more with the Europa League title.

Manchester United vs Athletic Bilbao team news

Both teams have injury worries going into the game. The Red Devils are sweating over the fitness of Matthijs de Ligt after he went off in the game against Brentford.

The Red Devils will be without Lisandro Martinez (knee), Joshua Zirkzee (thigh), Diogo Dalot (calf) and Ayden Heaven (ankle).

With Zirkzee out, Rasmus Hojlund and 17-year-old Chudo-Obi Martin are the only available strikers for United.

As for Bilbao, they will be without Dani Vivian, who is suspended after he picked up a red card in the first leg. Valverde’s men will also be without Inaki Williams and Nico Williams, a big blow to their chances of pulling off a remarkable comeback.

Manchester United vs Athletic Bilbao Betting Preview

Manchester United are the odds favourite, and rightly so. The Red Devils are priced at 1.90 at Housebets to get the win. History favours them as they are unbeaten in the Europa League this season. Not only that, but Man Utd are also unbeaten in their last 11 Europa League home games.

Meanwhile, Bilbao are the massive underdogs in this one, with the Spanish outfit priced at 4.00 at Housebets. If you are not a moneyline bettor, you can back over 2.5 goals at 1.79 at Housebets.

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