One of Thursday’s UEFA Europa League fixtures sees Man United host Athletic Bilbao at Old Trafford, where the Red Devils will be looking to complete the job after that excellent first leg victory on the road.
Did anyone really see this often underwhelming and often easy to beat Man United team going to Bilbao and returning with a three-goal lead? I certainly didn’t. That’s where we are in this tie, though. Thursday’s visitors have it all to do. Can they make a serious go of turning things around? Read on for our Man United vs Athletic Club bet builder tips.
Man United vs Athletic Club bet builder tips
This match will be played on 08/05/2025 at Old Trafford. Kick off will be at 20:00 GMT.
In an attempt to snuff out some bet builder value, I’ve landed on the following four selections ahead of what is an intriguing contest at Old Trafford.
Mikel Jauregizar to Be Carded
During the current UEFA Europa League campaign, I’ve talked about Jauregizar’s behaviour a few times, specifically ahead of Athletic Club’s trip to Glasgow, where they faced Rangers in the previous round. The Spaniard didn’t get booked on that occasion, nor did he get a card when these two teams met a week ago, but as far as I’m concerned, he’s walking a tightrope and will soon have his name back in the book.
For starters, only one player has made more fouls for Thursday’s visitors than Jauregizar in the Europa League this season. The 21-year-old averages a chunky 2.07 fouls per 90 minutes, while he made a couple of quite hefty late tackles last week, so much so that he was rather fortunate not to go in the book.
With the pressure seriously on his team here, I really wouldn’t be surprised if this serial fouler picked up what would be an eighth card of the season (in all competitions).
Nico Williams Over 0.5 Shots on Target
Sure, with his team reduced to ten men fairly early in the game, Nico Williams didn’t exactly get the opportunity to thrive last week, so I failed to cash my ‘to Score or Assist’ bet, though I’m not giving up on the Spain star, who has the tools to do some damage at Old Trafford.
In terms of shots, nobody has outperformed Nico Williams for Athletic Club in the Europa League this season. He averages 2.66 shots per 90 minutes, averaging also 1.05 shots on target per 90 minutes, making him easily the best of the regulars for the Bilbao outfit.
Happy to shoot from range, and clearly a threat on the break, the youngster can cause United problems here, despite the aggregate scoreline being against his team.
Athletic Club 4+ Shots on Target
I’m also throwing in the visitors to hit the target with at least four shots on Thursday. It’s do or die for a team desperate to play the final at their home venue of San Memes, so they must throw everything at this.
We know that this team can create chances, while we know that the hosts give plenty away, conceding six shots on target to Brentford at the weekend, also surrendering seven shots on target (in regular time) at home to Lyon in the previous round.
Man United 4+ Shots on Target
Lastly, given the aggregate score, the Red Devils can look to threaten on the break in this game, and despite their glaringly obvious defensive weakness, we know that they can hurt teams, especially at Old Trafford, where they recently fired off five shots on target (in regular time) against Lyon, while they hit seven shots on target during the first leg a week ago.
Moreover, Ruben Amorim’s men registered a pleasing total of ten shots on target when thumping shots on target against Spanish side Real Sociedad during the play-off round.
Recap - Man United vs Athletic Club bet builder tips
The following makes up our Man United vs Athletic Club bet builder:
Mikel Jauregizar to Be Carded
Nico Williams Over 0.5 Shots on Target
Athletic Club 4+ Shots on Target
Man United 4 + Shots on Target
The selections above make up a bet builder paying 10/1 with betway.
More UEFA Europa League betting tips:
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