Europe - Europa League
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by Simon Day in Europa League Picks
Athletic Bilbao host Manchester United in the first leg of their Europa League semi final clash on Thursday night. The Spanish side are enjoying a fine season, and are currently on course for a top five finish in La Liga and a place in next season's Champions League. If they can also claim their first ever European title, it will go down as the greatest season in the club's 127 year history.
In contrast, it has been a completely forgettable domestic campaign for United. They are languishing in 14th place in the Premier League table and on course for their worst league finish in over 30 years. The only saving grace for Ruben Amorim's side has been their strong form in Europe. The incredible 5-4 quarter final victory over Lyon will live long in the memory, and if United can produce a similar display on Thursday, they could yet salvage something from their season.
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Athletic Bilbao vs Manchester United Form
Athletic Bilbao and Manchester United Latest Matches
3/6 (50%)
2/6 (33%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Apr 23, 2025 - LaLiga
Apr 20, 2025 - LaLiga
Apr 17, 2025 - Europa League
Apr 13, 2025 - LaLiga
Apr 10, 2025 - Europa League
Apr 6, 2025 - LaLiga
4/6 (67%)
2/6 (33%)
0/6 (0%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Apr 23, 2025 - LaLiga
Apr 17, 2025 - Europa League
Apr 13, 2025 - LaLiga
Mar 30, 2025 - LaLiga
Mar 13, 2025 - Europa League
Mar 9, 2025 - LaLiga
1/6 (17%)
2/6 (33%)
3/6 (50%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Apr 20, 2025 - LaLiga
Apr 10, 2025 - Europa League
Apr 6, 2025 - LaLiga
Mar 16, 2025 - LaLiga
Mar 6, 2025 - Europa League
Mar 1, 2025 - LaLiga
1/6 (17%)
3/6 (50%)
2/6 (33%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Apr 27, 2025 - Premier League
Apr 20, 2025 - Premier League
Apr 17, 2025 - Europa League
Apr 13, 2025 - Premier League
Apr 10, 2025 - Europa League
Apr 6, 2025 - Premier League
2/6 (33%)
3/6 (50%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Apr 20, 2025 - Premier League
Apr 17, 2025 - Europa League
Apr 6, 2025 - Premier League
Mar 13, 2025 - Europa League
Mar 9, 2025 - Premier League
Mar 2, 2025 - FA Cup
1/6 (17%)
3/6 (50%)
2/6 (33%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Apr 27, 2025 - Premier League
Apr 13, 2025 - Premier League
Apr 10, 2025 - Europa League
Apr 1, 2025 - Premier League
Mar 16, 2025 - Premier League
Mar 6, 2025 - Europa League
Athletic Bilbao - Manchester United: Form Analysis
Bilbao's 1-0 home win over Las Palmas last week means they now have a five point cushion over the teams chasing them for a top four finish in La Liga. Their Europa League form has also been very impressive, especially at the San Mamés Stadium. Valverde's team have now won their last six home fixtures in the Europa League, including a comfortable 2-0 success over Rangers in the second leg of their quarter final.
United saving their best for Europe
Remarkably, Manchester United's 5-4 quarter final victory over Lyon is their only victory from their last seven games. Sunday's 1-1 draw at Bournemouth means that United are guaranteed their lowest ever Premier League points tally, even if they win their remaining four fixtures. However, their overall form in Europe has been very solid and they are undefeated in their 12 Europa League games this season.
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Manchester United v Athletic Bilbao last Lineups
Formation : 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Formation : 3 - 4 - 2 - 1
Missing players
N. Williams
L. Martinez
A. Heaven
M. De Ligt
MidfielderA. Diallo
ForwardJ. Zirkzee
Athletic Bilbao & Manchester United Squad Analysis
Bilbao boss Ernest Valverde is sweating on the fitness of Nico Williams and Oihan Sancet ahead of Thursday night's game. Spanish forward Williams has missed Bilbao's last two games with a minor injury, but hopes remain fairly high that he will be fit enough for at least a place on the bench against United. Meanwhile, Sancet suffered a hamstring injury during last week's victory over Las Palmas, and following a scan, he is rated as extremely unlikely to feature on Thursday.
Major injury problems for Amorim
United come into this game with a lengthy injury list. Lisandro Martinez, Joshua Zirkzee and Amad Diallo are long term absentees, whilst Diogo Dalot is probably out for the rest of the season with a calf problem. On top of that, Matthijs Ligt is unlikely to have recovered from his foot injury in time for the game and fellow defender Ayden Heaven is still out with a back problem.
Most goals and assists
Athletic Bilbao
Manchester United
O. Sancet
(17 Goals)
B. Fernandes
(15 Goals)
I. Williams
(10 Assists)
,
A. Berenguer
(10 Assists)
B. Fernandes
(15 Assists)
Athletic Bilbao and Manchester United Stats in Europa League
Athletic Bilbao - Manchester United Key Points
- Bilbao have scored over 2.5 goals in 3 of their last 4 Europa League home games
- United have gone 7 games without winning in 90 minutes
- Bilbao are on a 6 game winning run at home in Europe
- United have just 1 clean sheet in their last 7 Europa League away games
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Our Athletic Bilbao vs Manchester United Prediction
United have looked thoroughly unconvincing in recent weeks and we simply cannot see them being able to keep pace with an in-form Bilbao. The Spaniards have been imperious at home this year and have been scoring goals for fun in the Europa League. The hosts have managed three goals in three of their last four European games at the San Mamés Stadium, and given United's defensive injury crisis, we are backing them to score at least three times again on Thursday evening. Our prediction for Athletic Bilbao vs Manchester United is: Bilbao to score over 2.5 goals.
Athletic Bilbao vs Manchester United - Other Interesting Picks
Nico Williams to score
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