hletic Bilbao vs Rangers Prediction

Rangers will be travelling to Spain on Thursday night, as they will play Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League Quarter finals second leg. All is still to play as the score remains 0-0 after the first leg. The game kicks off on 17th April at 8PM BST, and will be available to watch on TNT Sports 2.

Key Stats

Bilbao average 1.73 goals per game in the Europa League.

The Spanish side also concede an 0.91avg goals per game in the competition.

Rangers also average 1.73 goals per game in Europe.

However, they average 1.19 goals conceded per match.

Athletic Bilbao vs Rangers Team Previews, Form and Standout Players

Athletic Bilbao Preview

Bilbao have been in top form this season, and they are currently fourth in the La Liga table. The Basque side are seven games unbeaten, and will be a tough side for Rangers to beat. Oihan Sancet is the top scorer for the side, and has scored fifteen goals all season.

The Spanish side have some top talent, with highly talented star Nico Williams attracting interest of many top sides across Europe.

Athletic Bilbao Predicted Lineup: Simon; Boiro, Paredes, Vivian, Gorosabel; Prados, Jauregizar; Williams, Sancet, Berenguer; Guruzeta.

Rangers Preview

In Scotland, Rangers haven’t had the season they would of hoped for, as they are second in the league, and fifteen points behind first place rivals Celtic.

They have only lost once in their last five matches, drawing two and winning the other two.

Goals haven’t been a struggle, with three players for Rangers scoring double digits this season. Cyriel Dessers scoring 12, Hamza Igamane scoring 11 as well as Vaclav Cerny.

Rangers Predicted Lineup: Kelly; Nsiala, Tavernier, Fernandes; Curtis, Barron, Raskin, Sterling; Cerny, Bajrami; Dessers.

Head- to-Head Stats: Athletic Bilbao vs Rangers

The two sides only played each other for the first time last week in the first leg, not giving fans much guidance as to how this game could turn out.

Of course, in the first leg neither side were able to break the deadlock as the game finished 0-0.

Rangers received a red card in the first game, and Bilbao missed a penalty and had a goal disallowed.

Bilbao dominated the fist leg, having 71% possession, whilst having 19 shots compared to four by Rangers.

Betting Tips for Athletic Bilbao vs Rangers

As previously mentioned, Athletic Bilbao appeared to be the much stronger side in the first leg of this matchup. Things could have gone differently if Rangers still had eleven men, but Bilbao got unlucky with a missed penalty, and created a huge number of chances. Therefore, Bilbao winning would be a good bet, as they appear to be favourites. Betfred will offer a return of £14 if you were to place a £10 bet on Bilbao winning.

Odds Subject to change*

Final Prediction: Athletic Bilbao vs Rangers

I think Rangers may struggle in this second leg tie. Bilbao were in complete control, and should have easily won the game, especially if they could score penalties.

Rangers do have goals in them, and could be able to go back to Scotland with some pride, but I don’t think they have enough for the win.

I predict a 3-1 win for Bilbao.