Athletic Bilbao vs Rangers F.C. Prediction 17 April 2025
Added on 15 April, 2025
This Thursday, Bilbao will host the decisive second leg of the Europa League quarter-final clash between Athletic Club and Rangers. The first match in Glasgow ended goalless, but Athletic looked the more dangerous side and will now look to capitalize on their home advantage to finish the job.
The Basques are enjoying an excellent season, currently sitting fourth in La Liga and firmly in the mix for a Champions League spot. Their domestic form remains solid, as evidenced by a recent 3-1 win over Rayo Vallecano. In Europe, they’ve already proven their mettle by overcoming Roma in the previous round with a 2-1 win in Rome followed by a confident 3-1 display in Bilbao.
Rangers, meanwhile, have shown inconsistency on the home front. Recent slip-ups against Hibernian (0-2) and Aberdeen (2-2) have further distanced them from top spot in the Scottish Premiership. Still, their European campaign has been more impressive, especially after eliminating a strong Fenerbahce side (3-1 at home, 1-2 away) in the last round.
With the tie finely balanced, Athletic’s composure, form, and the energy of the San Mamés crowd could tip the scales in their favor. While Rangers are known for their grit and fight, it’s hard to look past the Basques on their home turf, especially after their solid performance in the first leg. Expect a tense but entertaining affair, with Athletic narrowly edging through to the semi-finals.
Athletic to win with -1.0 Asian handicap 1.59