Athletic Bilbao vs Man United Prediction: Confirmed Team News & Betting Tips
Athletic Bilbao and Man United go head-to-head in Spain tonight in the Europa League semi-final first-leg.
With kick-off fast approaching at 8pm, there's still plenty of time to browse Oli Nixon's predictions and betting tips, while we also bring you the confirmed team news at the San Mames.
Athletic Bilbao vs Man United Prediction
Athletic Bilbao vs Man United Preview
The Basque side are looking to reach a European final for the first time since 2012 whilst this also represents an opportunity for Man Utd to rescue something from their disastrous season.
The Red Devils fans would have expected to qualify for the Champions League the more traditional way but it has been clear for a while that the Europa League offers their only chance of going back to Europe’s top table, something which may be crucial if Ruben Amorim is to revamp their squad in the summer.
Athletic Bilbao vs Man United Betting Tips
Despite their horrendous season, Man Utd are showing signs of life in recent weeks and will be buoyed by their late equaliser at Bournemouth on Sunday.
Key to their better form has been Portuguese midfielder Manuel Ugarte who has been a regular starter in Ruben Amorim’s midfield. If you include shots from his replacements when substituted for which Bet365 will pay this bet out, he’s had 23 shots across his last nine appearances in all competitions with at least one effort in each of those. He also had a shot in both legs of the quarter final tie with Lyon and averages 0.87 shots per 90 in the competition as a whole.
Despite their excellent season, Bilbao are conceding nearly nine shots per game, suggesting that Man Utd will get chances to attack.
In the Europa League, teams have struggled to break them down in games at the San Mames stadium, often being forced to shoot from outside the box which is where 66% of Ugarte’s shots have come from.
With United likely to be restricted to efforts from range, he’s one of the most likely candidates to have a frustrated pot shot and looks a nice price to continue his recent shooting streak.
A key feature of Bilbao’s home games this season has been plenty of throws where the average has been a whopping 42.36 per game.
Their last four matches as hosts include throw counts of 40, 42 and 49 and so there’s no sign of this average slowing down. In six games on home soil in the Europa League this season, this bet would have landed in four, only falling slightly short with totals of 34 and 36 respectively against Roma and Rangers.
United’s away games under Ruben Amorim aren’t renowned for throws averaging just 32.92, however, their most recent trip to Spain in this competition saw 44 throws.
The aforementioned draw at Bournemouth last time out also saw 45 and so there’s reason to believe that with Bilbao’s numbers, this line is a tad low and can be attacked.
Athletic Bilbao vs Man United Confirmed Team News
Oscar De Marcos is out for Athletic Bilbao with a thigh injury. Diogo Dalot and Joshua Zirkzee have both picked up untimely injuries for Man Utd, which could well rule them out for the season.
Browse the full starting lineups and team news for Athletic Bilbao vs Man United in the graphic below.
| # | Starting XI | Fouls | Goals | Shots | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Julen Agirrezabala Astúlez | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 17 | Yuri Berchiche Izeta | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 5 | Yeray Álvarez López | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 3 | Daniel Vivian Moreno | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 18 | Óscar de Marcos Arana | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 23 | Mikel Jauregizar Alboniga | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 16 | Íñigo Ruíz de Galarreta Etxeberria | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | Nicholas Williams Arthuer | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | Alejandro Berenguer Remiro | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | Iñaki Arthuer Dannis Williams | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 21 | Maroan Sannadi Harrouch | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| # | Substitutes | Fouls | Goals | Shots | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | Adama Boiro Boiro | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 28 | Peio Canales Urtasun | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | Álvaro Djaló Dias Fernandes | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Andoni Gorosabel Espinosa | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | Gorka Guruzeta Rodríguez | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 20 | Unai Gómez Etxebarria | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | Íñigo Lekue Martínez | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | Unai Núñez Gestoso | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Aitor Paredes Casamichana | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 24 | Beñat Prados Díaz | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 | Unai Simón Mendibil | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 6 | Mikel Vesga Arruti | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| # | Starting XI | Fouls | Goals | Shots | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | André Onana Onana | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | Leny Yoro | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 5 | Jacob Harry Maguire | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Victor Jörgen Nilsson Lindelöf | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 25 | Manuel Ugarte Ribeiro | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 18 | Carlos Henrique Casimiro | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Noussair Mazraoui | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Bruno Miguel Borges Fernandes | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 17 | Alejandro Garnacho Ferreyra | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 9 | Rasmus Winther Højlund | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| # | Substitutes | Fouls | Goals | Shots | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | Harry Amass | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 | Altay Bayındır | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | Christian Dannemann Eriksen | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 16 | Amad Diallo Traoré | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 55 | Tyler Fredricson | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 22 | Thomas David Heaton | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 80 | Jaydan Dejon Kamason | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 37 | Kobbie Boateng Mainoo | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 85 | Bendito Boanova Mantato | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | Mason Tony Mount | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 23 | Luke Paul Hoare Shaw | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Matthijs de Ligt | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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Athletic Bilbao vs Man United Odds
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