Comments and predictions for Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao: Dramatic until the last minute

Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao latest squad information

Rangers will be without centre-back John Souttar and midfielder Mohamed Diomande, both suspended for yellow cards, while Neraysho Kasanwirjo remains a long-term absentee with a knee injury.

Souttar's absence could force Ferguson to switch to a back three with captain James Tavernier, Leon Balogun and Robin Propper - who was rested last weekend - taking up the wing positions with Dujon Sterling and Jefte.

In midfield, Nicolas Raskin and Connor Barron are likely to continue to start. Nedim Bajrami could be selected to replace Diomande, supporting Vaclav Cerny – Rangers' top scorer in the Europa League with six goals – and Cyriel Dessers in attack.

For Athletic Bilbao, Yuri Berchiche picked up a calf problem in the draw with Villarreal and is almost certain to miss out. Adama Boiro is expected to replace him at left-back.

Aitor Paredes also had to leave the pitch early with a muscle injury, but is still hopeful of recovering in time to partner Dani Vivian in central defence. If not, Unai Nunez will be ready to take his place.

Brothers Nico Williams and Inaki Williams are both likely to start on the wings, while Oihan Sancet – the team's top scorer with 14 goals – is competing with Unai Gomez for the No. 10 spot. Gorka Guruzeta will lead the line.

Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao latest predicted lineup

Rangers:
Butland; Tavernier, Propper, Balogun; Sterling, Barron, Raskin, Jefte; Bajrami, Cerny; Dessers

Athletic Bilbao:
Simon; Gorosabel, Paredes, Vivian, Boiro; Prados, Jauregizar; I. Williams, Sancet, N. Williams; Guruzeta

Latest football commentary Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao

March was a memorable month for Rangers as they beat Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce on penalties after a 3-3 aggregate draw to reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League, and then went on to win back-to-back Scottish Premiership games against Celtic and Dundee.

A dramatic 3-2 win over Celtic at Celtic Park was followed by a stunning 4-3 comeback win over Dundee – a game in which they were 3-1 down with 15 minutes remaining. However, Barry Ferguson’s side failed to maintain their momentum as they lost 2-0 at home to Hibernian last weekend.

Rangers have now lost five consecutive home games in 90 minutes in all competitions – including a 2-0 defeat to Fenerbahce in the second leg before winning on penalties. The defeat to Hibs was also their seventh defeat in the Scottish Premiership this season, leaving them 13 points behind leaders Celtic, who also lost in the previous round and could be crowned champions in the coming weeks.

Rangers are heading into their 13th European Cup quarter-final – their first since their Europa League tie against Braga in 2021–22. However, they have not won the first leg of their last five quarter-final ties.

The last time the Glasgow side won the first leg of a quarter-final was against Athletic Bilbao at Ibrox in the 1968–69 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, when they won 4–1 at home, despite losing the second leg 2–0 in Spain but progressing 4–3 on aggregate.

Athletic Bilbao finished second out of 36 in the Europa League group stage, then staged a stunning comeback against Roma. Despite losing the first leg 2-1, they won 3-1 at home in the second leg to book their place in the quarter-finals 4-3 on aggregate.

Ernesto Valverde's side are now on a five-match unbeaten run in all competitions since losing to Roma in the first leg. However, they have drawn three La Liga games during that run, most recently back-to-back 0-0 draws with Osasuna and Villarreal.

Despite winning just one of their last five La Liga games, Athletic remain firmly in fourth place in the table and have a good chance of qualifying for next season’s Champions League. They are six points ahead of Villarreal, who are in fifth, although they have a game in hand.

Winning the Europa League for the first time in their history would also qualify them for the 2025–26 Champions League. Reaching this milestone in the first leg would bring the Basques closer to their continental dream.

This is Athletic's first appearance in a European quarter-final since the 2015–16 season. They have lost their last two visits to Scotland: a 1–0 defeat to Dunfermline in 1965 and a 4–1 defeat to Rangers in 1969 – both in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup.

Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao latest score prediction

Based on the above football comments, we and the world's leading football sites have given the results of the match.Rangers vs Athletic Bilbaoas follows:

• Sportsmole:Rangers 2-2 Athletic Bilbao

• WhoScore:Rangers 1-2 Athletic Bilbao
• Our newspaper predicts:Rangers 2-2 Athletic Bilbao

When and where to watch Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao live?

To watch live the match Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League taking place at 2:00 a.m. on April 11, viewers can watch onK+ Sport,K+PMor online sports channels. Wish you have fun watching football.