Athletic Club vs Manchester United Prediction: Hosts to gain advantage

Manchester United travel to Estadio San Mames on Thursday evening (20:00, live on TNT Sports 1) to face Athletic Club in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final tie.

The Red Devils are relying on a Europa League triumph to salvage what has been a disastrous campaign domestically, while also securing Champions League qualification in the process. Read on for my Athletic Club vs Manchester United predictions, as well as the latest team news and match odds.

Football Odds

Team News

Inaki and Nico Williams are both expected to start for the hosts on Thursday, as the latter was rested at the weekend.

However, Oihan Sancet - who has scored 18 goals from midfield this term - will be sidelined by a thigh injury. Oscar de Marcos could feature at right-back, and the 36-year-old is the only player remaining from the clubs' last meeting in 2012.

As for United, the likes of Amad Diallo, Toby Collyer and Matthijs de Ligt are unlikely to feature on Thursday, although Ruben Amorim is hopeful that those three will return to proceedings sooner rather than later.

Diogo Dalot and Joshua Zirkzee will also be absent as they've recently suffered what could be season-ending injuries, while Lisandro Martinez remains a long-term absentee.

Athletic Club vs Manchester United Odds

Athletic are 19/20 to win on the night, giving them an implied win probability of 51.3%, while the draw can be backed at 12/5 and it's 13/5 for United to take a lead back to Old Trafford for next week's second leg.

Gorka Guruzeta currently leads the anytime goalscorer market at 2/1, while Bruno Fernandes is shortest-priced for United at 3/1.

Athletic Club to win @ 19/20

United's focus has shifted towards the Europa League in recent weeks, as their domestic campaign has been one to forget. Amorim's side are set for a bottom-half Premier League finish - their worst since the competition began.

The Red Devils made hard work of their quarter-final win over Lyon, scoring three times in seven minutes at the end of extra time to produce a stunning comeback at Old Trafford.

Another tough test awaits in the last four as Athletic have a perfect home record in the competition this season, winning all six games at the Estadio San Mames, which is also the venue for the final next month.

In addition, the hosts, who are fourth in La Liga, have lost only one of their last 10 games across all competitions while, in contrast, United have won just one of their last seven.

It isn't surprising to see the hosts such a short price for Thursday's tussle, and they can take an advantage to Old Trafford next week.

Harry Maguire 1+ shot on target @ 4/1

Harry Maguire was the hero for Manchester United in the aforementioned victory over Lyon, as he scored the winning goal deep into extra time.

The England international will be a threat from set-pieces on Thursday, and Amorim may even opt to stick the former Leicester City man up top if Rasmus Hojlund continues to struggle in front of goal.

The 32-year-old managed a shot on target on Sunday in the 1-1 draw at Bournemouth in the Premier League and also found the back of the net in the 3-3 draw at Porto in the League Phase of this competition back in October.

Offers

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