Athletic Bilbao will host Rangers in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie on Thursday, 17 April.
Will Athletic Bilbao take the advantage of playing at home or will Rangers resist one of the main favourites in the competition? Read our Athletic Bilbao vs Rangers prediction to learn more about this match.
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Athletic Bilbao vs Rangers predictions: Basque team to get the win
Key Stats
- Athletic Bilbao are undefeated in their last seven games in a row.
- Both teams have scored in seven of the last nine games played by Rangers across the board.
- We saw both teams score in four of five Athletic Bilbao's matches in the Europa League knockout stages.
Correct score prediction: Athletic Bilbao 3-1 Rangers
While Rangers have done well to reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League, their recent form has been too inconsistent and they are without a win in their last three matches.
With that in mind and Athletic Bilbao having a great season overall, as well as them hosting the game, we expect the Basque team to secure a spot in the semi-finals.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Athletic Club the more likely winners
- HOME: 2/5 (1.40) – 71.40%
- DRAW: 4/1 (5.00) – 20.00%
- AWAY: 13/2 (7.50) – 13.30%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
It's clear from the Athletic Bilbao vs Rangers odds that the bookies see the hosts as the expected winners and it's not as close as we expected the odds to be, especially after that draw in the first leg.
After all, Rangers are a good team and despite their inconsistent form this season, they have reached this stage for a reason. That being said, Athletic Bilbao have been in great form lately and we can see why they're the favourites in this match.
In any case, if you liked our predictions for this duel, check our other football betting tips for today.
Most recent H2Hs: Fourth meeting in history
These two teams have only met twice in their history before their draw last week and it was all the way back in the 1968/1969 season, in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup quarter-finals. Athletic Bilbao have won at home 2-0, but Rangers have won their home game 4-1 and earned a spot in the semis.
UEFA Europa League 10/04/25
Rangers
Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao preview: Hoping their fairytale season continues
The Basque team have been amazing this season and are close to clinching a spot in the Champions League for next season since they're currently fourth in La Liga standings. On top of that, they're in the quarter-finals of the Europa League after finishing second in the league phase and eliminating Roma in the last round.
Yuri Berchiche will miss this match as well with an injury, but the bigger problem for Bilbao is Inaki Williams and fitness. Williams suffered an injury over the weekend and he's questionable for this game.
Predicted lineup: Simon (GK), De Marcos, Alvarez, Vivian, Lekue, De Galarreta, Jauregizar, N. Williams, Sancet, Berenguer & Guruzeta
Spain La Liga 13/04/25
W
Rayo Vallecano
1
Athletic Bilbao
3
UEFA Europa League 10/04/25
D
Rangers
0
Athletic Bilbao
0
Spain La Liga 06/04/25
D
Villarreal
0
Athletic Bilbao
0
Spain La Liga 30/03/25
D
Osasuna
0
Athletic Bilbao
0
Spain La Liga 16/03/25
W
Sevilla
0
Athletic Bilbao
1
Rangers preview: Can they cause an upset?
As we mentioned already, Rangers have been quite inconsistent this season and it's cost them in the Scottish Championship, where they once again conceded the title to their rivals Celtic, while also failing to win any of the domestic cups as well. So, their only chance for a trophy remains the Europa League.
When it comes to team news, Neraysho Kasanwirjo and Dujon Sterling are out with injuries, while Robin Propper is suspended.
Predicted lineup: Butland (GK), Tavernier, Souttar, Balogun, Yilmaz, Barron, Raskin, Jefte, Diomande, Cerny & Dessers
Scotland Premiership 13/04/25
D
Aberdeen
2
Rangers
2
UEFA Europa League 10/04/25
D
Athletic Bilbao
0
Rangers
0
Scotland Premiership 05/04/25
L
Hibernian
2
Rangers
0
Scotland Premiership 29/03/25
W
Dundee
3
Rangers
4
Scotland Premiership 16/03/25
W
Celtic
2
Rangers
3
Player to watch: Nico Williams
Athletic Bilbao is fuelled by the Williams brothers and at any point either one of them can pop up and decide the game. After all, Nico and Inaki together have combined for nine goals in the Europa League alone.
Since Inaki is questionable for this game, his younger brother is our player to watch and Nico certainly has the quality to help Athletic Bilbao secure their place in the semi-final of the Europa League.