Man Utd welcome Athletic Bilbao to Old Trafford to contest the second leg of the teams’ Europa League semi-final clash on Thursday, 8 May. Read our Europa League predictions for the contest below.
Contents
- 1 Man Utd vs Athletic Bilbao prediction: Goals possible at Old Trafford
- 2 Pre-game odds and win probability: Athletic Bilbao listed as underdogs
- 3 Most recent H2Hs: Fixture has goal-scoring traditions
- 4 Man Utd preview: Bruno, Onana, Yoro and Hojlund to return
- 5 Athletic Bilbao preview: Visitors sweating on Sancet and Nico Williams
- 6 Player to watch – Bruno Fernandes
Man Utd vs Athletic Bilbao prediction: Goals possible at Old Trafford
Key Stats
- Man Ut’s last four home matches in the Europa League averaged a whopping 5.25 goals per game.
- Athletic Bilbao have scored at least once in five of their six away assignments in the Europa League this season.
- Seven players were carded in last week’s first leg between the clubs in Bilbao.
- Bruno Fernandes has scored seven goals in 12 Europa League appearances this season.
Correct score prediction: Man Utd 2-2 Athletic Bilbao
Man Utd’s recent Europa League fixtures have been goal-filled and Thursday’s semi-final tussle with Athletic could be another end-to-ender. The visitors, who are three down, will need to attack from the off, so an open, entertaining clash could develop in Manchester.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Athletic Bilbao listed as underdogs
- HOME: 21/20 (2.05) – 48.8%
- DRAW: 27/10 (3.70) – 27%
- AWAY: 12/5 (3.40) – 29.4%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Man Utd lost 4-3 to Brentford with a fringe team on Sunday, though they remain 21/20 favourites here having seen Athletic Club off with relative comfort in the first leg.
Athletic Bilbao rested players win their 0-0 draw with Basque rivals Real Sociedad at the weekend, though even restored to full strength, the visitors have just a 29.4% chance of upsetting the odds at Old Trafford. View our free football tips page for more Europa League predictions.
Most recent H2Hs: Fixture has goal-scoring traditions
Man Utd’s 3-0 win over Athletic Bilbao last week was the third competitive encounter between the clubs where over 2.5 goals were scored.
UEFA Europa League 01/05/25
Athletic Bilbao
Man Utd
Elite Club Friendlies 06/08/23
Man Utd
Athletic Bilbao
Man Utd preview: Bruno, Onana, Yoro and Hojlund to return
Matthijs de Ligt was forced off with an injury against Brentford on Sunday and is a major doubt here. Bruno Fernandes, Andre Onana, Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro, Casemiro, Noussair Mazraoui and Rasmus Hojlund should all come back into the United starting XI. Amad Diallo is also pushing to start.
Predicted lineup: Onana (GK), Lindelof, Maguire, Yoro, Mazraoui, Casemiro, Ugarte, Dorgu, Garnacho, Fernandes, Hojlund
England Premier League 11/05/25
L
West Ham
2
Man Utd
0
UEFA Europa League 08/05/25
W
Athletic Bilbao
1
Man Utd
4
England Premier League 04/05/25
L
Brentford
4
Man Utd
3
UEFA Europa League 01/05/25
W
Athletic Bilbao
0
Man Utd
3
England Premier League 27/04/25
D
Bournemouth
1
Man Utd
1
Athletic Bilbao preview: Visitors sweating on Sancet and Nico Williams
Oihan Sancet remains a doubt for Athletic Club while winger Nico Williams could also miss out. Both will be assessed closer to kick off. Key defender Vivian is suspended following his red card in the first leg. Aitor Paredes should deputise in his absence.
Predicted lineup: Agirrezabala (GK), De Marcos, Paredes, Yeray, Yuri, de Galarreta, Jauregizar, I. Williams, Berenguer, N. Williams, Sannadi
Spain La Liga 11/05/25
W
CD Alaves
0
Athletic Bilbao
1
UEFA Europa League 08/05/25
L
Man Utd
4
Athletic Bilbao
1
Spain La Liga 04/05/25
D
Real Sociedad
0
Athletic Bilbao
0
UEFA Europa League 01/05/25
L
Man Utd
3
Athletic Bilbao
0
Spain La Liga 23/04/25
W
Las Palmas
0
Athletic Bilbao
1
Player to watch – Bruno Fernandes
Skipper Bruno Fernandes put in a captain’s performance in last week’s semi-final first-leg, netting two of Man Utd’s three first-half goals in their unexpectedly comfortable triumph in Bilbao.
Can Bruno lead the charge again?
Bruno was left on the bench for United’s 4-3 loss to Brentford on Sunday, so the 30-year-old should be nicely rested and raring to go for the Red Devils’ season-defining clash with Athletic. The influential midfielder has been chipping in with a goal contribution every 110 minutes in the Europa League this season.