Europa League
2012-03-08 - Manchester United vs Athletic Bilbao
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: European Europa League, Last 16 First Leg
Thursday 8 March 2012 - Kick Off 8:05pm
This game is live on TV
Manchester United
After just about surviving in the last Round, Manchester United have a big last 16 tie against a Spanish team that can clearly play a bit of football. Sir Alex Ferguson does not want to take any chances with his team selection in this game as United look to take a lead over to Spain next week.
The Premier League remains the priority for the Red Devils as they moved to within 2 points of Manchester City with a win at Tottenham Hotspur last Sunday. That does not mean they are planning to ignore this competition as it represents the only other chance of silverware this season as well as a chance for United to complete their European trophy set.
Manchester United will want to improve their form at Old Trafford, particularly at Old Trafford where they have won just 1 of their 4 European games this season including a 1-2 loss to Ajax last time out. The team have only lost that game in their last 7 in all competitions and they have won 4 of their last 5 games coming into this one. United had won 3 in a row at Old Trafford before the loss to Ajax.
Tom Cleverley and Chris Smalling were both in training, while only Antonio Valencia, Darren Fletcher and Nemanja Vidic have been ruled out. There may be a couple of changes from the side that beat Spurs last weekend, but Sir Alex Ferguson believes their failures in Europe have come from making too many changes and that he will play a strong team in this one.
Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao are one of the more famous names in Spanish football having never been relegated from the top flight, but recent seasons has seen them just surviving and not really in the mix for the big trophies. However, Marcelo Bielsa has got his side playing very good football that has seen them reach the Final of the Copa Del Rey and they will not be short of confidence that they can spring a surprise.
The team are currently in contention for a possible Champions League berth for next season as they are currently 5th in La Liga and they are just a point behind Levante in the chase for that berth. Athletic won their first 2 away games in the Europa League this season, but have now lost back to back games on their travels including 2-1 at Lokomotiv Moscow in the last 32.
Athletic have gone 4 games without a defeat in all competitions since that loss in Moscow in the last Round and they have actually won 3 of those games without conceding a goal. However, the team have failed to win any of their last 3 away games in all competitions, losing 2 of those games.
Fernando Amorebieta is suspended after being sent off in the 1-0 win over Lokomotiv. Aitor Ocio, Carlos Gurpegoi and Xabier Castillo are all missing which means Javi Martinez may have to start at centre-back.
Head to Head
These two teams have only ever met in two games competitively, both coming about in the 1956-57 European Cup.
On that occasion, United overturned a First Leg deficit to beat Bilbao 3-0 at home (game took place at Maine Road and not Old Trafford).
Prediction
I have been contemplating how this game is going to go for much of the day and I think I have now decided the best way to get on is by backing United to record their second home win in Europe this season, but to couple that with goals.
Sir Alex Ferguson has already admitted he would rather his side win this game 1-0 rather than conceding away goals ahead of the trip to Bilbao next week, but he is absolutely certain that United need to take a lead to Spain if they are to progress.
I expect a strong United team to take to the field, but Bilbao are really no mugs that are going to roll over here at Old Trafford and I expect them to be like any other Spanish team and that is to be able to play football and not be scared to push men forward in search of goals.
However, there are enough defensive issues with injuries and suspensions that I think United will have some success going forward themselves. Usually United have been strong defensively themselves, but the fact is they have kept just 1 clean sheet in their 4 European games here this season and so I can see both teams getting on the scoresheet.
Most of the markets have been priced up brilliantly well in my opinion, but I think there might be a bit of value in picking United to win and there being at least 3 or 4 goals scored in the match.
That is being offered at 3.30 at Paddy Power and looks a little too tempting to ignore.
The Pick :
Manchester United 2-1 Athletic Bilbao
