Will the Basques remain unbeaten in Glasgow?
Athletic Bilbao is heading for the semi-finals of the 2024/25 Europa League. The Basques made a comeback against AS Roma in the round of 16 and have reached the next round after all despite losing in the first leg. They will now face Glasgow Rangers in the quarter-finals. As our Glasgow Rangers v Athletic Bilbao betting tip shows, we expect the Basques to win this time in the first leg.
The Rangers have not been in the best condition recently. After a narrow victory at Dundee FC, there was a surprising defeat in the league duel against Hibernian last weekend. It is quite possible that Rangers FC will also lose at home to Bilbao. In contrast to the Scottish representative, the Basques have not been defeated in five competitive games in a row.
Glasgow Rangers – Statistics & current form
Glasgow Rangers finished in the top eight in the Europa League group stage and therefore had a bye in the intermediate round. The adventure in the knockout phase of the 2024/25 EL only started in the round of 16, with Fenerbahce Istanbul posing a difficult hurdle to overcome.
In the first leg in Istanbul, Rangers still had to overcome a coup, but in the second leg at home, they had to fear for their place in the quarter-finals. After a defeat in regular time, the decision against Fenerbahçe only came in a penalty shootout. Glasgow Rangers are now in the quarter-finals of the Europa League for the second time since the 2021/22 season.
However, it will be difficult for Rangers to reach the semi-finals. In particular, their poor record at home suggests otherwise. Barry Ferguson’s team have lost their last five competitive games at Ibrox Stadium. It is quite possible that a bet on the visitors will pay off against Athletic Bilbao.
Will the slide at Ibrox Stadium continue?
In the last four home games, Rangers have conceded twice in each game. A clean sheet can therefore be ruled out against the Basques. Rather, the question arises as to when Rangers will score for the first time. In the current season, the Scottish record champions have only won two of six home games in international competition.
To make matters worse, Rangers have only won six of 28 matches against clubs from the Spanish top flight. One of these six victories was a win against Bilbao in March 1969. If you think the Scottish club can pull off a coup again this time, you can currently get betting odds in the 3.00 range if they win, and you can also use a betting bonus for this.
Barry Ferguson has to do without three players in the squad against the Basques. There are no other personnel concerns at the moment for the Rangers. Compared to the team that played last weekend, no major changes are expected at Glasgow Rangers.
Athletic Bilbao – Statistics & current form
Athletic Bilbao have not lost any of their last five competitive matches since their defeat to AS Roma, and have a record of 2-3-0 in this period. Not only did the Basques win the second leg against AS Roma in these five encounters, but they also celebrated a victory at Sevilla FC. Most recently, however, there have been two consecutive draws in the league. Not a single goal was scored in either of the encounters.
A goalless encounter can be ruled out in the Europa League. The Basques have scored at least once in every international encounter this season. It is quite possible that the goal quota will be expanded against the Glasgow Rangers – even though Bilbao have not scored in their last two competitive games.
However, betting on the Basques is risky, at least based on their recent form away from home. In their last seven away games, Bilbao have only managed one win and a meager record of 1-3-3. During this period, there were also two away defeats in international competition. Bilbao not only lost the match at Besiktas, but also conceded a defeat at AS Roma.
Is the Basques’ offense finally breaking through?
Bilbao had the fifth-strongest offense in the league phase of the 2024/25 Europa League. In eight league games, the Basques scored a total of 15 goals, which is an average of almost two goals per game. As the two meetings against AS Roma show, they have continued this trend in the knockout phase. Bilbao scored four goals in two matches against the Giallorossi.
Bilbao can be trusted to put on an attacking spectacle in Glasgow in the quarter-finals as well. This is not only indicated by the Basques’ offensive power, but also by the vulnerability of the Scottish team’s defense. Bettors who want to bet on the number of goals scored by the Basques can also use the betting apps of the betting providers for betting on this.
Ernesto Valverde has to do without four players in the squad against Glasgow Rangers. Bilbao have no other personnel concerns. Compared to the team that last played in La Liga, no major changes are expected in the lions from the Basque Country.
Glasgow Rangers – Athletic Bilbao Head to head / H2H record
The two clubs have already met twice in the past. Rangers beat Bilbao 4-1 in the first leg, but the Basques won 2-0 in the second leg.
Glasgow Rangers – Athletic Bilbao Tip
Glasgow Rangers are in a poor state of mind going into the upcoming game. Each of the last five competitive games at Ibrox Stadium has been lost. Most recently, there was even a bitter defeat for Rangers in the home game against Hibernian. It would therefore be all the more surprising if the turnaround were to occur in the home game against Bilbao.
The Basques have already eliminated AS Roma from the competition in the previous round. Since the defeat at AS Roma, none of the last five competitive games have been lost. The series should continue against Rangers.
Glasgow Rangers have only won six of 28 matches against clubs from the Spanish top flight. We are therefore placing our Glasgow Rangers v Athletic Bilbao tip on the guests from the Basque Country. For our prediction on Bilbao, we are betting five out of ten possible units. Betway offers some of the best odds for this.
