Athletic Bilbao vs MU score prediction: Home team holds the upper hand
Athletic Bilbao vs MU is the highlight match of the Europa League semi-finals. MU has suffered many losses, while Bilbao is on a winning streak at home.
The first leg of the Europa League semi-final between Athletic Bilbao and Manchester United will take place at 2:00 a.m. on May 2 (Vietnam time) at San Mames Stadium - a place expected to be a historic fulcrum for the Basque team to write a new miracle.
MU entered the match with many concerns about their squad. In addition to the long-term absentees such as Lisandro Martinez and Altay Bayindir, the English team also did not have the services of Diogo Dalot and Joshua Zirkzee due to serious injuries, while the possibility of Amad Diallo and Matthijs de Ligt returning was very low. The responsibility of carrying the attack and believing in victory once again fell on the shoulders of captain Bruno Fernandes - who contributed to 29 goals in the Europa League knockout rounds, including three goals and three assists in just three semi-finals.
On the other side of the front line, Athletic Bilbao are in the most impressive home form in the league. They have won all six of their Europa League games at San Mames this season, scoring 14 goals and conceding just twice. Star Nico Williams has been a big bright spot, having contributed to at least one goal in every home game in the European Cup this season. He and his brother Inaki Williams will be a real threat to the MU defense.
On their way to the semi-finals, Bilbao overcame tough opponents like Roma and Rangers, including a dramatic 3-1 home win over Roma after losing the first leg. Valverde's team also had the physical advantage of having the weekend off due to the Spanish Cup schedule.
Meanwhile, although MU showed their mettle when they came from behind against Lyon in the quarter-finals (winning 7-6 on aggregate), their form has been inconsistent and their history of confrontations has not been in their favour – they have only won 1 out of 4 times against Athletic, the last time being in 1957. In the most recent encounter in the 2011/12 season, MU lost both matches and were eliminated.
Bilbao have won the semi-finals both times they have been in the competition (1977, 2012) and will be desperate to make it big when this year's final is held at home at San Mames. Meanwhile, United are betting everything on this tournament to secure a place in next season's Champions League as they struggle in the Premier League.
With excellent home form, high spirits and an almost full squad, Bilbao are rated higher before kick-off.
Score prediction:
- Sportsmole: Athletic Bilbao 2-0 MU
- WhoScore: Athletic Bilbao 2-1 MU
- Nghe An Newspaper: Athletic Bilbao 2-1 MU