Manchester United vs. Athletic Bilbao: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

It's advantage to Manchester United in this Europa League semifinal following their 3-0 first-leg victory in Bilbao, where the Europa League final takes place on May 21, and they will be expected to seal their place in the trophy decider.

Athletic Bilbao have no choice but to adopt positive tactics in their comeback mission at Old Trafford, although some notable injuries in the final third make matters tough for them.

That said, the Red Devils are laboring down in 15th place in the Premier League, and they trailed 10-man Lyon 4-2 deep into their quarterfinal second leg at Old Trafford.

United spared their blushes with three goals in the final seven minutes of extra-time to pinch a 7-6 aggregate victory over Les Gones and they will be hoping for a less stressful evening against Bilbao.

The Spanish visitors have knocked out Roma and Rangers in the last two rounds but overcoming such a damaging deficit may prove beyond them.

Manchester United vs. Athletic Bilbao betting picks and predictions

Manchester United to win (-112)

Manchester United don't need to win to progress and, while backing teams in that situation can be risky, they may be able to complete the job in style.

Casemiro got United on their way at the San Mames on the half hour mark before Bilbao were reduced to 10 men five minutes later with Dani Vivian seeing red.

Bruno Fernandes scored from the resulting penalty before bagging his brace on the stroke of halftime, leaving a bewildered Bilbao facing an uphill challenge.

However, things have since gone from bad to worse for Bilbao and having star forwards Nico Williams and Inaki Williams sidelined through injury has seriously diminished their attacking quality.

Therefore, United, who are still unbeaten in the competition after 13 matches, may be able to follow that form with another victory at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils have won four of their last five Europa League matches at home, which includes a 4-1 rout of Bilbao's La Liga rivals Real Sociedad.

The Spanish side have won only two of their six away games in Europe this season, having suffered defeats at Besiktas and Roma, as well as being held to a goalless draw at Rangers.

Oscar De Marcos to be shown a card (+260)

Bilbao have to go out and show some fight and that could lead to a booking for veteran right-back Oscar De Marcos, who could have a tough time up against the pace and guile of Alejandro Garnacho.

De Marcos committed four fouls in the opening leg, all despite being substituted as a tactical decision by his manager after just 42 minutes.

However, he is likely to retain his place at Old Trafford and, at now 36 years of age, he could struggle to cope with the tempo at which this match is set to be played.

Bruno Fernandes anytime goalscorer (+175)

Fernandes continues to carry Manchester United and his brace in the opening half of the first leg took his tally in the Europa League this season to seven goals in just 12 appearances.

That makes the Portuguese talisman the leading scorer in the competition and he has had a total of 40 shots across those 12 European assignments, four of which came away in Bilbao.

The 30-year-old has 21 goals in 59 appearances for club and country this season and being on penalty duty means he is always worth including as a goalscoring option.

Fernandes is also getting a lot more license to express himself in forward areas, with Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro entrusted to anchor the midfield. 

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Manchester United vs. Athletic Bilbao odds

Manchester United	-112
Tie	+280
Athletic Bilbao	+280

Manchester United vs. Athletic Bilbao player props

Anytime Goalscorer

Bruno Fernandes	+175
Rasmus Hojlund	+175
Alejandro Garnacho	+250
Gorka Guruzeta	+225
Alvaro Djalo	+375
Alex Berenguer	+500

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.