Athletic Bilbao vs Rangers Predictions

Athletic Bilbao vs Rangers Predictions for Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final clash. Athletic Bilbao and Rangers reconvene at San Mames after a tense goalless first leg, with Bilbao’s home strength likely giving them the edge in a finely poised Europa League quarter-final showdown. Read on for our free betting tips and predictions.

Europa League | Apr 17, 2025 at 8pm UK at San Mames Barria

Athletic Bilbao vs Rangers Predictions

Can the Lions Roar Loud Enough at San Mames or Will Rangers Pull Off a Stunner?

• Rangers Always Strike on the Road: The Scottish side have scored in every Europa League away match this season, including against Betis, Nice and Fenerbahce—proving their bite travels well.
• Bilbao’s Back Line Not Bulletproof: The Spaniards have conceded in each of their last two Europa League home games, suggesting vulnerabilities even under pressure at San Mames.
• Goals Flow When It Matters: With both teams scoring in Bilbao’s last two European home games and Rangers’ last four continental away ties, expect action at both ends again.

Best Bet for Athletic Bilbao vs Rangers

All eyes turn to the Basque Country this Thursday as Athletic Bilbao and Rangers gear up for what promises to be a tense and absorbing second leg in their Europa League quarter-final clash. Following a cagey and at times bizarre 0-0 in Glasgow, it’s now a straight shootout at San Mames. The winner takes a trip to the semi-finals—and possibly beyond, with the final itself looming on Bilbao’s home turf.

The first leg was chaos wrapped in a stalemate. Rangers, reduced to ten men after Robin Propper’s early red, dug in deep and relied heavily on their goalkeeper Liam Kelly, who not only repelled a late penalty but denied wave after wave of Spanish pressure. Meanwhile, Bilbao managed to dominate possession and chances but lacked the clinical edge that you’d expect from a side with eyes on a home final.

Since then, the Basque outfit have shaken off their scoring cobwebs with a 3-1 league win over Rayo Vallecano, a much-needed boost in momentum. The return leg is crucial not just for their European ambitions, but their sense of destiny. Hosting the final at San Mames is more than just motivation—it’s a source of obsession. Rangers, on the other hand, are carrying their own blend of resilience and unpredictability. They’ve made a habit of surprising on the road in Europe, and this match gives them one more chance to do it.

Best Bet for This Match: Athletic Bilbao to Win & Both Teams to Score

At BettingTips4You, we’re not ones for spraying a dozen guesses and hoping something sticks. We go all-in on one crystal-clear prediction per match—the one with the sharpest edge. And for this spicy second leg, our Best Bet is Athletic Bilbao to win and both teams to score.

There’s a peculiar irony in Bilbao drawing a blank in Glasgow despite playing with a man advantage for 80+ minutes. They did everything but score: kept the ball, moved it with intent, and even won a penalty, which Berenguer saw saved. The attacking intent is undeniable, and with Nico Williams back on the scoresheet at the weekend and Sancet stepping up with a brace, there’s no shortage of players willing to make the difference. Even without Inaki Williams, they’ve got options.

What works against them? That back line. They’ve not exactly been watertight. In their last two home matches in this competition, they’ve allowed goals—something that gives Rangers real hope. And let’s not forget: the Scottish side have found the net in every one of their European away fixtures this season. They banged in three at Fenerbahce, managed four in Nice, and scored against Real Betis. If they get half a chance in Bilbao, you wouldn’t bet against them burying it.

Rangers’ attack will likely revolve around Cerny and Dessers, with Diomande offering an extra bit of link-up play. Their counter-attacking threat has been a handful for better defences than Bilbao’s. But over the course of 90 minutes in front of a seething San Mames crowd, it’s hard to see them holding firm at the back.

As BettingTips4You.com expert Herrin Kendrick neatly summarised:
“Bilbao have the firepower to break Rangers down eventually, but don’t be surprised if the Scots land a punch or two of their own. It’s attack versus resistance, with sparks bound to fly.”

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Predicted Score: Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Rangers

While Rangers have shown grit and quality on the road, Bilbao’s relentless pressure and attacking weapons should finally bear fruit. But the visitors have too much experience and pace to be shut out entirely. A 2-1 home win feels the most likely, with Bilbao edging through on the back of their depth and desire.

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