MU vs Athletic Bilbao score prediction: Leaning towards the Red Devils
MU vs Athletic Bilbao prediction: The Red Devils confidently enter the second leg at 2:00 a.m. on May 9, holding a big advantage after a 3-0 victory in Spain.
Manchester United are on the brink of the Europa League final as they head into the second leg of their semi-final against Athletic Bilbao with a 3-0 lead from the first leg at San Mames. The win was not only a surprise but also marked the first time Bilbao have lost at home in more than eight months unbeaten in all competitions. Goals from Bruno Fernandes (2) and Casemiro provided the crucial margin, especially with their opponents playing with a man down for much of the game.
United are still unbeaten in the Europa League this season (W8 D5), and are on course to become only the second English side after Chelsea (2018–19) to reach the final without losing a game. However, manager Ruben Amorim remains cautious, saying “anything can happen in a game”.
The dramatic 3-4 defeat to Brentford in the Premier League last weekend exposed some of MU's weaknesses, especially in defense, when they fielded the youngest squad in the club's history. The team is currently ranked 15th in the domestic league and has almost no chance of improving its ranking. The Europa League therefore becomes the only way for the Red Devils to qualify for the Champions League next season.
In terms of squad, MU will be without Lisandro Martinez, Joshua Zirkzee, Diogo Dalot and Ayden Heaven due to injury, while Matthijs de Ligt and Toby Collyer will be assessed close to match time. Rasmus Hojlund is expected to return to the starting line-up alongside Fernandes and Garnacho. In defence, Victor Lindelof is likely to start, and Amad Diallo could be given a chance if coach Amorim wants to push Mazraoui into central defence.
Athletic Bilbao went into the game with a daunting task: to come from behind at Old Trafford to reach the final on their home turf. However, history was not on their side as all 133 teams that had lost the first leg by three goals at home in the Europa League were eliminated.
Bilbao’s recent form in La Liga has been unimpressive, winning just five of their last 14 games. Their attack has also been shaky, failing to score in six of their last nine games. Dani Vivian is suspended following his red card in the first leg, while Nico Williams, Oihan Sancet and Oscar De Marcos are all doubtful.
Despite beating MU at Old Trafford in 2012, that scenario is unlikely to be repeated as the attack is lacking in sharpness and the opponent is determined to maintain the advantage. If they cannot create a miracle, Athletic will have to accept the third time in their history that they have been eliminated after losing both legs in the European knockout round.
Score prediction: MU 3-2 Athletic Bilbao
MU will likely win the ticket to the final after a difficult match, when Athletic played with all their might and created a lot of pressure. But the spirit and the big advantage from the first leg were enough for the Red Devils to close the semi-final with a favorable result.
