Athletic Club vs Manchester United Preview, Team News, Odds, & Predictions – 05/01/2025

The last month of club football for the season beckons as the road to Bilbao continues for Manchester United, who will visit the venue of the finale 20 days earlier for the first leg of the 2024-25 UEFA Europa League semi-final against Athletic Club on Thursday, May 1.

In the four meetings between the clubs in Europe, the Red Devils have emerged winners only once, back in the 1957 European Cup, while the Bilbao-based club has won three matches, including both legs of the 2011-12 Europa League.

Learn more about the odds, team news, picks, and predictions for the thrilling first leg of the 2024-25 UEFA Europa League semi-final between Athletic Club and Manchester United:

Where to watch Athletic Club vs Manchester United

Here is when and where to watch the clash between Athletic Club and Manchester United:

Date: 05/01

Time: 3 pm ET

Location: Estadio de San Mames, Bilbao

Where to watch: The match can be watched on ESPN+ in the USA

Athletic Club vs Manchester United Preview

Both Athletic Club and Manchester United have had memorable campaigns so far, as the Red Devils were the only unbeaten team in the league stage of Europe’s second-tier club competition, while the Bilbao-based side finished with the joint-most points alongside Lazio, who finished first due to a better goal difference.

Athletic Club

Ernesto Valverde’s men pride themselves on their defensive resilience, conceding only 10 goals in the ongoing Europa League campaign so far, with only two of those 10 goals conceded at the San Mames Stadium. Knocking out Roma and Rangers in the last two rounds, Valverde has signalled to the other teams that they want to play in front of their own crowd in the Europa League final but overcoming a giant hurdle in Manchester United might prove to be a sticky point in the journey of the club from the Basque region.

Valverde confirmed that Athletic Club’s top-scorer, Oihan Sancet has been ruled out of the first leg and the hosts will have to do without the services of a striker who has netted 17 goals across La Liga and the Europa League in the ongoing season. Star forward Nico Williams could make his first start in a while after he returned to first-team action last week and seems to have shaken off his groin issues for the time being.

Predicted Starting XI: Simon; Gorosabel, Vivian, Alvarez, Berchiche; Ruiz de Galarreta, Jauregizar; I. Williams, Berenguer, N. Williams; Guruzeta

Manchester United

Ruben Amorim’s men have already eliminated a Spanish club from the knockout stages in the form of Real Sociedad before staging a comeback for the ages against Lyon as the Manchester-based club won 7-6 on aggregate with goals from Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire in the 120th and 121st minute of the second leg in the quarter-final.

Both Amad Diallo and Matthijs de Ligt returned to team training after missing a huge chunk of matches during a crucial period for the Red Devils and could make it into the matchday squad, as per head coach Amorim, while Joshua Zirkzee and Lisandro Martinez have been ruled out for the remainder of the season.

Midfielder Toby Collyer has started training on his own and would be hoping to play some part in the final if United qualifies for the mega-event in Bilbao. Diogo Dalot missed the 1-1 draw against Bournemouth on Sunday, and the wing-back would be hoping to return to action soon following his brief absence, but will definitely not be travelling to Spain for the first leg of the semi-final.

Predicted Starting XI: Onana; Yoro, Maguire, Shaw; Mazraoui, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu; Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund

Athletic Club vs Manchester United Under/Over Predictions

The Playoffs aim to facilitate the safest bets for the game. Have a look at the predictions for the game below.

Total goals Over 2.5 @ +105 (MGM Bet): While Athletic Club has been at their best defensively in Europe this term, Amorim would hope that his defense and, in particular, his goalkeeper produce an error-free performance if they want to lift a trophy at the end of a painful season. The forwards of both teams are not in their best form, but they do have the ability to find the back of the net if the game opens up a bit during the latter stages at the San Mames Stadium.

Athletic Club vs Manchester United Player Picks

Rasmus Hojlund (To Score a Goal @ +380 as per MGM Bet): Rasmus Hojlund has had a tough time since arriving in Manchester, as the Danish striker has failed to gel with any of the other forwards, as he is either arriving too late into the box or ignored for another player despite being in a better position. More often than not, Hojlund has failed to find his scoring shoes this season, but did net the equalizer against 10-man Bournemouth on Sunday, and the former Atalanta striker would be hoping to aid his team’s cause on Thursday in Spain.

Athletic Club vs Manchester United Prediction

Manchester United will be playing their 100th Europa League fixture on Thursday, and the Red Devils will be hoping that their recent poor record against Spanish clubs in Europe’s second-tier competition takes a turn for the better over the next 180 minutes.

Our Final Prediction: A 1-0 win for Amorim’s men in Bilbao should keep them in good stead ahead of the second leg at Old Trafford next week.

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Mohak Arora

A stand-up comedian and a sports journalist with speciality in writing prediction pieces and features on football, cricket, and badminton. Over the last few years, I have contributed pieces to iGaming giants like Parimatch, 1X News, and Melbet.