Europa League: From Bilbao to Glasgow in Search of Glory

Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao

One of La Liga’s best sides is making the trip from the north of Spain to the north of the United Kingdom, as Athletic Bilbao visit Glasgow Rangers for a tasty Europa League clash on Thursday. 

The latest Europa League 2025 betting odds make Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic Club the title favourites, priced at 4.20 ahead of Manchester United at 4.55 and Lazio and Tottenham Hotspur a little further out at 5.00. Glasgow Rangers, managed by former player Barry Ferguson, who was appointed as interim coach in February, are available at 23.00 with Bodo Glimt the rank outsiders at 40.00.

The hosts come into the game on the back of a home setback, losing 2-0 to Edinburgh side Hibernian at the Ibrox Stadium, but it will be packed again on Thursday for the visit of Bilbao, who drew 0-0 away to Europe chasing rivals Villarreal.

 

Talking Points

No home comfort for Rangers  

There is no doubting the passion of Rangers fans and for many years Ibrox Stadium has been a fortress but, while the Gers have been doing very well on their travels they have lost their last five games in Glasgow. Defeats at home to Queens Park and St Mirren in February were followed by losses to Motherwell and their home Europa tie against Fenerbahce, which resulted in a penalty shootout, in March. Then there was the 2-0 defeat at the hands of Hibernian last Saturday which is hardly ideal preparation for the visit of Bilbao, and the result left Ferguson’s team trailing Celtic at the top of the league by 13 points. It’s something of a mystery but one which Rangers want to solve sooner rather than later.

Advanced midfielder Vaclav Cerny is the man who has been most productive in the Europa League with six goals and two assists, while the attack will be led by the experienced Cyriel Dessers who has scored 28 goals in 83 games for Rangers. But the most influential player remains right back and captain James Tavernier who is a dependable defender who loves to join the attack, making three assists in the Europa League. And, as the last line of defence, Jack Butland is a keeper with great pedigree; a full England international and a Premier League star with Stoke City.

But Rangers will be without the creative midfielder Mohamed Diomande who is suspended for this clash, which is a major blow to the Gers.      

 

Goal shy Bilbao need to find their shooting boots

Athletic Club are riding high in the La Liga Primera Division, currently in fourth place and in good shape to earn a Champions League spot, six points clear of Villarreal in fifth. And though their Europa League 2025 results have been impressive too, they enter this match with a small headache. One single goal from the last three games, in a 1-0 win away to Sevilla, is something of a concern for Valverde. Though the point taken from the Yellow Submarine was a decent result, a goalless home draw with Osasuna is not so pleasing. Despite a less prolific campaign than last term Nico Williams remains the jewel in Bilbao’s crown and the winger has scored four goals in the Europa League while older brother Inaki has scored five. Oihan Sancet is a big threat too, top scoring for the club with 13 goals in La Liga and he is sure to lead the Bilbao attack. At the opposite end of the pitch Unai Simon is an assured keeper while Oscar de Marcos provides leadership in defence, which will be needed, with defenders Yeray Alvarez and Yuri Berchiche both sidelined.     

Valverde’s side had a struggle in the Round of 16, faced with Claudio Ranieri’s Roma and a first leg deficit, but they justified their position as tournament favourites when they hit back with a 3-1 win in the second leg in Bilbao, Nico Williams bagging a brace; and I think they will have too much for their hosts on Thursday.      

 

History

Rangers are 55 times Scottish champions and winners of the 1972 European Cup Winners Cup while Athletic Club are eight times Spanish champions but are yet to taste success in Europe. 

This is the first time these two teams have met but Bilbao’s recent form is more consistent than the Gers, but they have struggled to turn draws into victories with two wins, three draws and one defeat from the last six games. Rangers have had no such problem with three wins and three defeats from their last six games.  

 

Betting Tip

At SBOTOP odds of 2.94 the hosts have a decent chance of getting a positive result on Thursday, with the Draw available at 3.06. But Athletic Club are a better team than they face in Scotland and, while the Spaniards have been a little shot shy in recent weeks, they have plenty of quality. For an alterative bet, a 1-0 away win is priced at 7.04.  

   

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