Athletic Bilbao and Rangers face off in the decisive second leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie. The first leg at Ibrox ended in a goalless draw, with Rangers playing much of the match with ten men following an early red card to Davy Pröpper. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Rangers displayed resilience, notably with goalkeeper Liam Kelly saving a penalty.
Athletic Bilbao, managed by Ernesto Valverde, are strong at home, having won all five of their Europa League matches at San Mamés this season. The Basque side is also motivated by the prospect of reaching a European final on home soil, as San Mamés is set to host the Europa League final. Rangers, under interim manager Barry Ferguson, have struggled at home but have shown strong away form, with resilient performances against teams like Aberdeen, Celtic, and Fenerbahce. They aim to capitalise on their counterattacking style and the pressure on Bilbao to perform at home.
What you need to know
Date: Thursday, April 17, 2025
Kick-off: 10:00 PM EAT (8:00 PM BST)
Venue: San Mamés Stadium, Bilbao
Aggregate Score: 0-0
Team news
Athletic Bilbao:
- Injuries: Iñaki Williams is doubtful due to muscle discomfort, and Yuri Berchiche is sidelined with a calf injury.
Rangers:
- Suspensions: Davy Pröpper is suspended following his red card in the first leg.
- Injuries: No significant injuries reported.
Predicted lineups
Athletic Bilbao (4-2-3-1):
Unai Simón; Óscar de Marcos, Dani Vivian, Yeray Álvarez, Jon Morcillo; Mikel Vesga, Dani García; Nico Williams, Oihan Sancet, Álex Berenguer; Gorka Guruzeta
Rangers (4-3-3):
Liam Kelly; James Tavernier, Connor Goldson, Ben Davies, Borna Barišić; Ryan Jack, John Lundstram, Todd Cantwell; Rabbi Matondo, Cyriel Dessers, Tom Lawrence
Key Players
- Athletic Bilbao: Oihan Sancet – The attacking midfielder has been instrumental this season, leading the team’s scoring charts.
- Rangers: Cyriel Dessers – The striker has been in fine form, scoring nine goals this season, including a crucial goal against Olympiakos in the Europa League.
Match facts
- Head-to-Head: The first leg was the first competitive meeting between the two sides, ending in a 0-0 draw.
- Athletic Bilbao Home Form: Unbeaten in their last five Europa League home matches this season.
- Rangers Away Form: Strong performances on the road, with notable results against Aberdeen, Celtic, and Fenerbahce.
Prediction
Athletic Bilbao’s strong home record and the motivation of potentially reaching a European final at their own stadium make them favorites. However, Rangers’ resilience and effective counterattacking strategy could pose challenges.
Predicted Score: Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Rangers
How to watch
- Kenya & sub-Saharan Africa: SuperSport
- Middle East & North Africa: beIN Sports
- United Kingdom: TNT Sports 2, discovery+ App
- United States: Paramount+, TUDN, Univision NOW, UniMás
- Canada: DAZN Canada
