Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao Prediction & Betting Tips - Europa League
Europe - Europa League
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by Kennedy Kechula | in Europa League Predictions
Ibrox is ripe with expectation as Glasgow Rangers welcome Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League quarter-finals first leg match. The winner from the two legs will face Manchester United or Lyon in the semis. The hosts are bidding for a first semi-final appearance since losing the final in 2021/22. Meanwhile, Bilbao, like Rangers, are pinning their hopes of silverware on this competition. We have the prediction for this match below.
While Rangers saw off Fenerbahce in the last round, Athletic Bilbao eliminated Italian side AS Roma to book this ticket. This match marks the first ever meeting between the two teams. After a successful outing on penalties to dispatch Fenerbahce, starting this round at home feels like a double dose of pleasure for the Rangers fans.
Athletic Bilbao’s pressure will not just be in this match; the fact that the final will be played in their backyard adds to it. They had an inspiring performance at home to Roma last time out but can they repeat that?
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Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao Form
Rangers and Athletic Bilbao Last Matches
3/6 (50%)
0/6 (0%)
3/6 (50%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
5 Apr 2025 - Scottish Premiership
29 Mar 2025 - Scottish Premiership
16 Mar 2025 - Scottish Premiership
13 Mar 2025 - Europa League
6 Mar 2025 - Europa League
1 Mar 2025 - Scottish Premiership
1/6 (17%)
0/6 (0%)
5/6 (83%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
5 Apr 2025 - Scottish Premiership
13 Mar 2025 - Europa League
1 Mar 2025 - Scottish Premiership
22 Feb 2025 - Scottish Premiership
9 Feb 2025 - Scottish Cup
2 Feb 2025 - Scottish Premiership
6/6 (100%)
0/6 (0%)
0/6 (0%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
29 Mar 2025 - Scottish Premiership
16 Mar 2025 - Scottish Premiership
6 Mar 2025 - Europa League
26 Feb 2025 - Scottish Premiership
16 Feb 2025 - Scottish Premiership
26 Jan 2025 - Scottish Premiership
2/6 (33%)
3/6 (50%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
6 Apr 2025 - LaLiga
30 Mar 2025 - LaLiga
16 Mar 2025 - LaLiga
13 Mar 2025 - Europa League
9 Mar 2025 - LaLiga
6 Mar 2025 - Europa League
4/6 (67%)
2/6 (33%)
0/6 (0%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
30 Mar 2025 - LaLiga
13 Mar 2025 - Europa League
9 Mar 2025 - LaLiga
23 Feb 2025 - LaLiga
8 Feb 2025 - LaLiga
30 Jan 2025 - Europa League
1/6 (17%)
3/6 (50%)
2/6 (33%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
6 Apr 2025 - LaLiga
16 Mar 2025 - LaLiga
6 Mar 2025 - Europa League
1 Mar 2025 - LaLiga
16 Feb 2025 - LaLiga
2 Feb 2025 - LaLiga
Rangers - Athletic Bilbao: Form Analysis
Rangers will have to do much more to win the Premiership than they have to do to win the Europa League. Both ways, the Gers’ work is cut out for them. They are coming from a loss at home to Hibernian in another highlight of their defensive struggles.
In each of their last four matches now, Rangers have conceded two or more. In the Europa League, it hasn’t been smooth. They suffered a 2-0 home loss to Fenerbahce but won it on penalties in the last Europa League outing.
That loss inside 90 minutes was Rangers’ third at home in the Europa League this season and it should concern them. In their 10 matches in the competition, only once have they won two consecutive matches.
Athletic Bilbao lost their last two away matches in Europa League.
Goals haven't been coming at the desired rate for Athletic Bilbao lately. They’ve scored once in the last three matches and how they would like a return to continental action.
The Spaniards’ last action in Europe ended in a 3-1 win, and elimination of AS Roma. That was at home though. On the road, things haven't been as smooth for Athletic; they lost the last two, conceding six times.
Ernesto Valverde's men have only one clean sheet in their five away matches in Europa League this season.
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Rangers against Athletic Bilbao Lineups: Starting 11
Formation : 3 - 4 - 3
Formation : 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Substitutes
R. Mcguire
J. Butland
DefenderJefte
C. Nsiala-Makengo
MidfielderA. Mccallion
N. Bajrami
R. McCausland
C. Barron
Danilo
H. Igamane
F. Curtis
U. Simon
DefenderA. Paredes
U. Nunez
A. Gorosabel
A. Boiro
MidfielderB. Prados
U. Gomez
P. Urtasan
M. Vesga
ForwardA. Djalo
A. Berenguer
G. Guruzeta
Rangers & Athletic Bilbao Squad Analysis
At Rangers, the talk of town is Vaclav Cerny’s form in Europe. On loan from Wolfsburg, the Czech winger has certainly lived to the billing. The 27-year-old has managed 17 goals so far, and six of them came in the Europa League.
While there are a horde of players in the running for the top scorer’s accolade, Cerny stands as a serious contender. If Rangers stay on, and with some improvement on his 4.16 xG rating, the winger could prove an important player for the Scottish giants.
As the Gers want to be at their best for the two legs, Connor Barron, Hamza Igamane, Jefte and Nicolas Raskin are at risk of suspension if carded.
Rangers’ John Souttar and Mohamed Diomande are suspended.
This match could be a show of the wingers. At the Athletic Club end, Inaki Williams leads their charge with five goals scored in this competition. The Ghanaian has scored those after attempting 60 shots, and getting 37% of them on target.
An xG of 6.65 makes him a favorite to score again here. The visitors have netted just once in the last three matches and will hope Williams rises to the occasion again.
The winger must, however, watch out, as he will be suspended for the return leg if booked.
His brother, Nico Williams, operating from the other wing, will be looking to improve on his tally of four goals in the competition.
Most goals and assists
Rangers
Athletic Bilbao
V. Cerny
(6 Goals)
I. Williams
(5 Goals)
, 
N. Williams
(5 Goals)
J. Tavernier
(3 Assists)
A. Berenguer
(3 Assists)
,
O. De Marcos
(3 Assists)
Rangers - Athletic Bilbao Key Points
- In Athletic Bilbao’s last four matches, both teams scored.
- In five Europa League home matches, Rangers failed to score once.
- Both teams scored in four of Rangers’ last five Europa League matches.
- Athletic Bilbao scored in all their five away Europa League matches this season.
- In 10 Europa League matches this season, Rangers managed two clean sheets.
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Our Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao Prediction
There is an element of shakiness in these teams’ campaigns in Europe this season. Once in a while they’ve produced outstanding performances. But then even in such situations, they find it tough to keep a clean sheet.
It was the case for Athletic Bilbao against Roma in the last game, or Rangers away to Fenerbahce. Here, the odds favor Athletic Bilbao, but the home crowd will surely push Rangers, which balances things out. Our prediction for Rangers v Athletic Bilbao is for both teams to score.
Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao Alternative Predictions
Over 2.5 goals
As the two sides parade some of the top forwards in the competition, we expect a goal-laden match. Looking at the teams’ recent performances where high scores have been witnessed, we can expect the same here.
At least three goals were scored in each of Athletic Bilbao’s last four matches in this competition. The same was the case in three of Rangers’ last four. We will, therefore, back over 2.5 goals as our second prediction.
Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao - FAQs
The Rangers v Athletic Bilbao match will be played on Thursday 10 April.
The Rangers v Athletic Bilbao match will be played at the Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow.
The Rangers v Athletic Bilbao match will be aired on Telefonica for fans watching from Spain. In case you are watching from the UK, TNT Sports has it covered. Meanwhile, the Europa League Livescore portal will also have the match updates.
All tips are fully researched and given in good faith, but profits cannot be guaranteed.
