Athletic Bilbao vs Viktoria Plzen Prediction

3rd placed Athletic Bilbao will have a tough job on their hands if they are to mathematically secure safe passage through to the Europa League last 16, as they take on an over-acheiving Viktoria Plzen, who currently sit 11th, on Thursday night.

The away side currently sit two points outside the top eight, and could well secure a spot in the last 16 with a win over Bilbao, providing a handful of other results fall in their favour.

Both have been steady during their campaign so far, and both have positive goal differences, but Bilbao’s sturdy defence could well be the difference in this tie.

As a crucial game approaches, here is everything you need to know about both sides ahead of kick-off.

Key Statistics

• Both sides have netted 12 goals in seven games so far, although Bilbao boast a superior defensive record, conceding six goals to Plzen’s 12.
• Should Bilbao midfielder Alex Berenguer take to the pitch on Thursday, it will be his 200th appearance for the club.
• Getting into the Europa League through the qualifying rounds, Viktoria Plzen have surpassed the expectations of most, and in reaching the play-off, have secured their first Europa League knockout tie since 2018.
• Despite sitting 11th, Plzen have lost just one game in the Europa League this campaign, a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United which included an 88th minute winner.

Athletic Bilbao Preview

Athletic Bilbao Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon (GK); Yuri Berchiche, Yeray Alvarez, Daniel Vivian, Andoni Gorosabel; Mikel Jauregizar, Mikel Vesga; Nico Williams, Oihan Sancet, Inaki Williams; Gorka Guruzeta.

Athletic Bilbao have been excellent so far in Europe; winning five, drawing one and losing one, they have done well to pick up maximum points from the majority of their winnable games. A draw against Roma was also respectable.

However, last time out they suffered a heavy defeat away to Besiktas, a match they would have gone into backing themselves to win. They followed that result with a goalless draw against Leganes, and will need to find a way to pull some form back ahead of this one.

On the plus side, they would have marked this game against Plzen out as a chance for maximum points when their league phase draw came out, and all they need to focus on now is manifesting that result.

Viktoria Plzen Preview

Viktoria Plzen Predicted Lineup (3-4-2-1): Martin Jedlicka (GK); Vaclav Jemelka, Svetozar Markovic, Sampson Dweh; Cadu, Lukas Kalvach, Lukas Cerv, Milan Havel; Pavel Sulc, Matej Vydra; Prince Adu.

An unexpected competitor for a top eight spot, Plzen have had an excellent league phase, boasting wins over Anderlecht, Real Sociedad and Dynamo Kyiv, and drawing to Eintracht Frankfurt.

Draws against PAOK Thessaloniki and Ludogorets, which could easily have been turned into three point returns, may have slightly hindered their progress, but as a side with no real expectations heading into the competition, they will be more than satisfied with their position.

Already qualified for the play-offs, they have nothing to lose heading into this one. While they could still smuggle their way into the top eight, the concoction of results seems too unlikely. Either way they will go for the win here, as it would be perfect preparation for the play-offs.

Athletic Bilbao vs Viktoria Plzen Head to Head

This will be the first ever meeting between the two sides, with both having never been drawn in the same group of any European competition before.

Athletic Bilbao vs Viktoria Plzen Betting Tip

While Bilbao have been one of the Europa League’s premier performers this campaign, Plzen can play some eye-catching football too, and aren’t as easy to play as they appear on paper.

Bilbao are bound to score, as they have in every Europa League game so far, but we think Plzen are likely to bag one or two as well, so we are backing both teams to score.

Athletic Bilbao vs Viktoria Plzen Final Prediction

**Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Viktoria Plzen **

An even first half will see the two side go into the break at 1-1, and in a second half of end to end football as both side look to raise their game ahead of the knockouts, Bilbao will net the critical goal.