Man United vs Athletic Bilbao Prediction: 16/1 Betting Tip, Confirmed Team News & More

Manchester United will look to book their place in the Europa League final tonight when they take a 3-0 lead into the second-leg of their semi-final against Athletic Bilbao.

Ruben Amorim has named an unchanged side for the return fixture at Old Trafford, while Bilbao are without the Williams brothers.

With kick-off fast approaching at 8pm there's still time to check out Matthew O’Regan best bets and predictions.

Man United vs Athletic Bilbao Preview

In the first leg, Ruben Amorim’s side took the lead after 30 minutes through Casemiro, before Daniel Vivian was sent off for hauling Rasmus Hojlund down in a goalscoring position. Bruno Fernandes confidently converted the resulting penalty, then added a third before the break to put Manchester United firmly in control. The hosts saw out the second half comfortably to take a commanding lead into the return leg.

Athletic Bilbao have a monumental task on their hands if they are to overturn the first leg deficit. Ernesto Valverde’s side are winless in their last three away games in this competition and have struggled on the road in La Liga, collecting just 25 points from 17 matches and scoring only 19 goals. They will need a serious injection of creativity if they are to pull off a remarkable comeback.

Man United vs Athletic Bilbao Betting Tips

Harry Maguire was the late hero in the quarter-final against Lyon, scoring a last-gasp header to send his side through to the semi-finals.

The 32-year-old was imperious in the first leg before being subbed in the 65th minute. Maguire’s battle with opposing striker Maroan Sannadi was captivating, with the 24-year-old being fouled three times and making four fouls in a tireless performance.

Sannadi is expected to start again to reignite their battle, making the 6/5 for Maguire to be fouled a lovely price, considering it has landed in Maguire’s last three games and Sannadi is averaging 2.67 fouls per 90.

For my long shot, I'm backing Oscar De Marcos to commit 2 or more fouls and Alex Berenguer to have over 0.5 shots on target from outside the box, which combine to form a 16/1 double with bet365.

When looking at Oscar De Marcos’ foul statistics, they don’t make for ideal reading for foul backers. However, the veteran right back endured a torrid 42 minutes in the first leg before being subbed. The 36-year-old struggled to cope with Bruno Fernandes and Patrick Dorgu on the United left, making four fouls.

While substitute Andoni Gorosabel failed to make a foul, the 28-year-old is averaging 1.54 fouls per 90. Dorgu has been a livewire at wing back since arriving from Lecce in the January window, winning an average of 2.94 fouls per 90.

With Olhan Sancet, Inaki, and Nico Williams not travelling with the squad to Manchester, most of the attacking onus will be on Alex Berenguer. The 29-year-old was sacrificed in the first half in the wake of the Daniel Vivian red card, but still managed two shots on target, with one coming outside the box.

Berunger is averaging 0.78 shots on target per 90 but greater attacking emphasis will be put on the attacking midfielder given the aforementioned absentees. An added caveat to this bet is that he should be on free kicks, presenting even more opportunities for a long-distance strike on target.

Man United vs Athletic Bilbao Confirmed Team News

Man United are unchanged from the side that stormed to a 3-0 win last week.

Meanwhile, Athletico Bilbao will have to try and conjure up a comeback without top scorer Oihan Sancet and Inaki and Nico Williams.

The official starting lineups for Man United vs Athletic Bilbao can be viewed in the graphic below.

Man United vs Athletic Bilbao Bet Boosts

Man United vs Athletic Bilbao Odds