Verdict: Inaki Williams over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 4/6
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Getting their Europa League semi-final adventure underway on Thursday night, Manchester United will travel to the Basque Country when they meet Athletic Bilbao.
Athletic Bilbao
Starting with the hosts, booking their Europa League semi-final ticket on April 17th as they collected a 2-0 victory against Scottish giants Rangers, Athletic Bilbao have rightfully received a string of plaudits this season. Cementing their spot as one of Spain’s real surprise packages this year, Ernesto Valverde’s side are cruising their way to a sensational Champions League spot. Making an immediate return to winning ways last week as they collected a 1-0 victory against Las Palmas, the former Barcelona boss will be smelling the opportunity to claim a crucial first-leg advantage here. Winning three of their previous four appearances across all competitions, Athletic Bilbao have also gained a reputation for their success on home soil. Along with winning their last three consecutive showdowns in the Basque Country by an aggregate score of 6-1, Valverde’s men are unbeaten in all of their last 10 matchups at San Mames.
Athletic Bilbao Team News
Heading into Thursday’s showdown from San Mames, Athletic Bilbao have reported a clean bill of health and have no fresh injury concerns to worry about. Settling for a spot on the bench against Las Palmas last week, attacking talisman Inaki Williams will certainly make a full return here.
Recording nine goals across all competitions so far this calendar year and reportedly attracting plenty of Premier League interest, Oihan Sancet will pull the strings. Despite returning from a muscle injury earlier in the month, veteran defender Yuri Berchiche will settle for a spot on the bench.
Manchester United
As for the visitors, while Manchester United might have mounted an iconic Europa League comeback against Lyon on April 17th, the Red Devils have come under a huge amount of scrutiny. Breaking a string of unwanted records and firmly stuck in the bottom-half of the Premier League table, Ruben Amorim has rightfully found some serious pressure on his shoulders. Despite snatching a last-gasp 1-1 stalemate against Bournemouth last weekend, United have managed just a single victory from any of their previous seven appearances across all competitions. Hit with a woeful 4-1 drumming at the hands of Newcastle a fortnight ago, Thursday’s guests have gained a reputation for their glaring issues on the road. In fact, the former Sporting Lisbon boss has seen his squad muster just a sole win away from Old Trafford since the end of January.
Manchester United Team News
While Amad Diallo might be inching towards a first-team return after sustaining a long-term muscle injury back in February, the 22-year-old will not travel to the Basque Country. Likewise, picking up a season-ending hamstring injury away at Newcastle on April 13th, Joshua Zirkzee will play no part here.
Snatching a last-gasp equaliser away at Bournemouth last weekend and recording just a second Premier League goal of 2025, Rasmus Hojlund should keep his spot leading the line. Despite being dropped at St. James’ Park a fortnight ago, Andre Onana will start between the sticks.
Athletic Bilbao vs Manchester United Key Factors to Consider
- When Athletic Bilbao and Manchester United last met for a Europa League showdown in March 2012, the Lions collected a 2-1 victory at San Mames.
- Bilbao have not suffered a single defeat from any of their previous 10 consecutive appearances at San Mames across all competitions.
- United’s iconic comeback win against Lyon on April 17th is the only victory that have recorded from their previous seven appearances across all competitions.
- The Red Devils have recorded just a single win away from Old Trafford since the end of January.
- Bilbao have conceded just a single goal in their last four consecutive showdowns at San Mames.
Conclusion
Enjoying what has been a record-breaking romp this season, Athletic Bilbao will be smelling the chance to collect a heavyweight scalp here. Gaining a reputation for their continued success on home soil and unbeaten in all of their last 10 straight showdowns at San Mames, Thursday’s hosts should be relishing Manchester United’s arrival to the Basque Country. Landing a 2-1 win when they last welcomed the Premier League strugglers to town back in 2012, Valverde’s camp will be confident of making a major European statement.
Verdict: Inaki Williams over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 4/6
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
