Manchester United vs Athletic Bilbao prediction 08.05.2025 | Europa League

• Competition: Europa League, Semi-Finals, 2nd Leg
• Date: Thursday, 8th May, 2025
• Kickoff: 20:00 UK / 21:00 CEST
• Venue: Old Trafford (Manchester)

After a 3:0 for Manchester United in the first leg of the Europa League Semi-Finals in Spain, the Red Devils will welcome Athletico Bilbao at Old Trafford in Manchester.

Manchester United are playing one of the worst seasons in the club's history. When they changed the coach and appointed Ruben Amorim in November, many football pundits expected they would miraculously become one of the top teams. However, that was far from the truth, as they are sitting in 15th place with only 39 points in 35 rounds! They looked more like a relegation candidate than a team that (should) battle for the Champions League spots. Still, they have a chance to save their season by winning the Europa League and securing the CL that way. Due to a three-goal advantage from the first leg, the bookies offer odds of only 1.01 to reach the Finals.

Athletico Bilbao, on the other hand, are playing an awesome La Liga season. The Basque team are in fourth place with 61 points in 34 rounds - four away from dropping out of the Champions League spots. If the season ended now, Bilbao would have had the best finish in over a decade. However, in the Europa League, they collapsed against Manchester United at home and are now in an almost impossible situation to secure Finals. It is possible they could rotate some of their players because they are under pressure to secure a top-five finish in La Liga.

Manchester United vs Athletic Bilbao pick: Manchester United to win

While Manchester United struggles this season, most of their recent poor games were away from home. At Old Trafford, in the previous eight games, the Red Devils lost just once against the Wolves in a match where they deserved at least a draw.

On the other hand, even though Athletic Bilbao had a really good season, they are on a mini-bad run after winning just once in the last four games and scoring just once - 0.25 per game.

Additionally, in the first leg, Manchester United dominated, winning 3:0. Yes, Bilbao had a player less since the 35th minute, but the Red Devils dominated even before that red card. They had a 1:0 lad and had one goal disallowed by VAR before the red card.

Considering all the above, but especially the outcome of the first leg, we believe that Manchester United should win and secure their ticket for the Finals against the winner of the Tottenham & Bodo/Glimt duel.