UEFA Europa League Predictions for Manchester United v Athletic Club

The UEFA Europa League is down to the last four teams, just one game separates these sides and a place in the final of this competition, let the fun begin.

@Footy_Tipster gives his best predictions ahead of this round of fixtures in the UEFA Europa League..

Manchester United will hope to get the job completed on Thursday night and book their place in the UEFA Europa League final, as they welcome Athletic Club to Old Trafford in this second leg.

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Now, let’s take a closer look at some betting angles for Thursday night’s UEFA Europa League fixture:

Manchester United v Athletic Club – Thursday, 8pm

• Last Thursday in Bilbao was the perfect scenario for Manchester United, a 3-0 victory in the first leg has put the Red Devils well in control of this tie and simply avoiding defeat by a three goal margin will secure their third ever UEFA Europa League final.
• Ruben Amorim’s side did concede four at the weekend away to Brentford albeit having played quite a youthful team, giving key players a much needed rest ahead of this one. The 4-3 defeat on Sunday has left them fifteenth in the Premier League but all will be forgiven if they go on to win the UEL, as displayed in the away end at Brentford, “Follow, Follow, Follow, Because United are going to Bilbao” (The final), despite being 4-1 down at that point. 
• There’s always a bit of jeopardy with this United side, especially given that unforgettable fixture against Lyon in the previous round, but United have progressed in all twenty of their UEFA knockout ties in which they won the first leg away from home.
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• Athletic Club felt hard done by in the first leg after Dani Vivian’s red card with just thirty-five minutes played, something United took full advantage of. The Lions had hoped to be in the San Mames for the final but they’ve got a big mountain to climb in Manchester if they are to be there.
• Luckily for Athletic Club,  Ernesto Valverde’s side aren’t relying on success in this competition to secure UEFA Champions League for next season, following a goalless draw against rivals Real Sociedad on Sunday evening, they sit fourth in La Liga with a four point gap to Betis in sixth, four huge games left to play.
• An early goal here for Athletic Club and the Old Trafford crowd could become a little nervous, i’m sure that’s what the Lions will be hoping for here. There’s always a chance of at least one goal in Manchester, given eight of Manchester United’s last nine Europa League home games have seen both teams score, whilst these sides have produced at least three goals between them in each of their three competitive meetings, including Athletic’s 3-2 victory here back in 2012.

Prediction: Come From Behind & Win – Manchester United (10/1 – *odds subject to change – prices correct at the time of writing*)