Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao Prediction, Betting Tips & Lineups: Nico Williams tipped to shine at Ibrox
The UEFA Europa League has reached the quarter-finals and the stage is set for a fascinating tussle in Scotland with Rangers taking on Athletic Bilbao in a huge contest for both teams.
The first leg encounter at Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow will take place on Thursday, April 10th, with kick-off at 20:00. Live television coverage in the UK will be on TNT Sports 2.
Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao Prediction
Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao Betting Tips
Athletic Bilbao have the incentive of knowing that the Europa League final will be played at their home stadium and they can edge move a step closer to that showpiece occasion by defeating Rangers in Glasgow.
Bilbao head coach Ernesto Valverde will have lots of respect for their hosts, who were Europa League runners-up in 2021-22.
But his team has been impressive since the start of the competition, finishing second in 36 teams in the League Phase and winning 4-3 on aggregate against Roma in the round of 16.
Rangers have surpassed expectations by reaching the quarter-finals, but their results and performances have dipped in recent weeks.
The Gers have been beaten in five successive home matches and are approaching the Bilbao game without suspended duo John Souttar and Mohamed Diomande, who have been two of their more reliable players.
The Light Blues will be urged on by a passionate home crowd, but are likely to suffer against one of the best teams left in the competition.
Bilbao have lots of quality in the final third and must decide whether or not to use top scorer Oihan Sancet, who is back in contention after a spell on the sidelines.
However, Spain international attacker Nico Williams was their two-goal hero in the 3-1 second-leg victory at home to Roma and looks overpriced to open the scoring against a reshuffled Gers defence.
Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao Lineups & Team News
Rangers Team News
- The home side has a selection headache to solve because key players John Souttar and Mohamed Diomande are suspended for the opening leg.
- Barry Ferguson deployed a back three for the round of 16 matches against Fenerbahce. He may opt for a similar strategy, although he faces a struggle to cover for Souttar, who has been a powerful presence in the backline.
- He may turn to Leon Balogun, who has been used sparingly in the Scottish Premiership, but who started both games against Fener and was a part of the Gers squad which reached the Europa League final in the 2021-22 campaign.
- Diomande’s absence is another huge blow and options to replace him include Albania international Nedim Bajrami or Dujon Sterling, who can be deployed as a defender or a holding midfielder.
Athletic Bilbao Team News
- Bilbao head to Scotland with a strong squad, but are without left back Yuri Berchiche, who sustained a muscle strain in Sunday’s 0-0 draw away to Villarreal.
- Defender Yeray Alvarez is also injured, but Aitor Paredes (knock) has been named in the squad and top scorer Oihan Sancet returned from injury at the weekend.
Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao Lineups
The lineups for Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao will be displayed below approximately one hour before kick-off.
| # | Starting XI | Fouls | Goals | Shots | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | Liam Patrick Kelly | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 27 | Leon Aderemi Balogun | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Robin Pröpper | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 21 | Dujon Henriques Sterling | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Rıdvan Yılmaz | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 49 | Bailey Rice | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 43 | Nicolas Thierry Raskin | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | James Henry Tavernier | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 30 | Ianis Hagi | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | Cyriel Kolawole Dessers | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 18 | Václav Černý | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| # | Substitutes | Fouls | Goals | Shots | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Nedim Bajrami | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Connor Clark Barron | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 | Jack Butland | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 52 | Findlay Curtis | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 29 | Hamza Igamane | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 84 | Aiden McCallion | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 45 | Ross McCausland | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 87 | Rydnn McGuire | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 19 | Clinton Nsiala-Makengo | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 99 | Danilo Pereira da Silva | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 22 | Jefté Vital da Silva Dias | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| # | Starting XI | Fouls | Goals | Shots | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Julen Agirrezabala Astúlez | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | Íñigo Lekue Martínez | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Yeray Álvarez López | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Daniel Vivian Moreno | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 18 | Óscar de Marcos Arana | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 23 | Mikel Jauregizar Alboniga | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 16 | Íñigo Ruíz de Galarreta Etxeberria | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 10 | Nicholas Williams Arthuer | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Oihan Sancet Tirapu | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | Iñaki Arthuer Dannis Williams | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 21 | Maroan Sannadi Harrouch | 2 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| # | Substitutes | Fouls | Goals | Shots | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Alejandro Berenguer Remiro | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 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 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Andoni Gorosabel Espinosa | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | Gorka Guruzeta Rodríguez | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 20 | Unai Gómez Etxebarria | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | Unai Núñez Gestoso | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Aitor Paredes Casamichana | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 24 | Beñat Prados Díaz | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1 | Unai Simón Mendibil | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Mikel Vesga Arruti | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao Bet Boosts
A selection of Bet Boosts for the game, courtesy of 7bet:
- Was 9/2, Now 5/1 - X/Athletic Bilbao, Halftime/Fulltime
- Was 3/1, Now 7/2 - Yes, Rangers to score in both halves
- Was 3/1, Now 10/3 - 1x2 & both teams to score, Athletic Bilbao & Yes
- Was 11/4, Now 16/5 - Athletic Bilbao/Athletic Bilbao & under 4.5, Halftime/Fulltime & total 4.5
Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao Betting Offer
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