This Thursday, our focus shifts to the second leg of two thrilling UEFA Europa League ties, with a place in the quarter-finals on the line. Below are our suggested betting markets and key insights for each match.
Before diving in, let’s take a look at the latest outright odds. Lazio lead the market as favourites at 9/2, followed closely by Tottenham Hotspur at 11/2. Manchester United are priced at 6/1, while AS Roma sit at 7/1. The rest of the field is available at 8/1 or greater.
Click here for all the latest Europa League Outright Betting
ATHLETIC BILBAO v AS ROMA – Click here to bet
Athletic Bilbao find themselves in a must-win situation on Thursday, knowing that anything less than victory will see them bow out of Europe. Winless in their last three competitive outings, the Lions suffered a 2-1 defeat in Rome last week, setting up a tense second leg at San Mamés—their first home clash against AS Roma this campaign after drawing 1-1 in the group stage opener.
Despite their recent struggles, Ernesto Valverde’s side have thrived in the Europa League, winning six of their nine matches. Even more impressively, they have been untouchable at home, securing four consecutive wins while conceding just once and scoring nine goals at an average of 2.25 per game. Over the weekend, they halted a two-game losing streak with a 1-1 draw against Mallorca, maintaining their grip on fourth place in La Liga.
Meanwhile, AS Roma arrive in Bilbao full of confidence after extending their winning streak to six matches in all competitions with a 1-0 victory over Empoli on Sunday. Claudio Ranieri’s men know that avoiding defeat will see them through to the quarter-finals, but they face a tough challenge against a Bilbao side that has made San Mamés a fortress.
However, Roma’s European away form raises concerns. The Giallorossi have failed to win on the road in this competition, drawing three and losing twice—including 1-0 defeats to lesser-known sides Elfsborg and AZ Alkmaar. Their cautious approach has also resulted in low-scoring affairs, with just one of their away games featuring more than two goals.
Head-to-Head
AS Roma are unbeaten in their last two meetings with Athletic Bilbao, having drawn 1-1 earlier this season before securing a 2-1 victory last week. This will be the first time the two sides face off on Spanish soil.
Betting
Athletic Bilbao 19/20
Draw 26/10
AS Roma 3/1
Verdict
Holding a narrow 2-1 lead from the first leg, Roma are expected to take a cautious approach, but Bilbao’s formidable home record makes this a challenging encounter. With everything at stake, a tense and hard-fought battle awaits under the floodlights in the Basque Country. Given Roma’s occasional struggles and low-scoring away games in this competition, backing the hosts to avoid defeat in a match featuring two goals or fewer could offer solid betting value.
Suggested Bet: Double Chance And Total – Athletic Bilbao/Draw and Under 2.5 at 23/20
Get your money back if your team loses to an injury time penalty.
Introducing Tough Luck Insurance from World Sports Betting. Bet on football matches with confidence, and if your team loses to an injury time penalty, we’ll return your stake as free bets.
*Valid for Pre-Match and Live in Play events up to 90 Mins.
T’s &C’s apply. Refund/Payout limited to R5000. Single/Straight bets only.
Free Bets do not qualify for this offer. Limited to 1 refund per customer per event.
Simply email promotions@wsb.co.za with Subject ‘ Tough Luck Insurance ’
MANCHESTER UNITED v REAL SOCIEDAD – Click here to bet
Unbeaten in Europe with five wins and four draws, Manchester United’s continental campaign stands in stark contrast to their domestic struggles, where they languish in 14th place in the Premier League. However, after a spirited 1-1 draw against Arsenal on Sunday—arguably one of their best performances this season—Ruben Amorim’s side will head into Thursday’s clash with renewed confidence.
The Red Devils held Real Sociedad to a 1-1 draw in Spain last week, a result that leaves them in a strong position ahead of the second leg at Old Trafford. United have won three of their four home games in this tournament, averaging two goals per match while conceding just one per game. With the opportunity to secure a quarter-final spot, they will be eager to capitalize on their solid European form in front of their fans.
For Real Sociedad, much like United, European success remains their only realistic shot at silverware this season. However, Imanol Alguacil’s men arrive in Manchester on the back of a poor run, having suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Sevilla over the weekend, leaving them 11th in La Liga. That result extended their winless streak to four matches across all competitions (one draw, three defeats), and their away form is even more concerning—losing five of their last six and failing to score in their last two road trips, including heavy defeats to Real Betis and Barcelona.
Head-to-Head
Manchester United and Real Sociedad have met seven times in European competition, with the Red Devils holding the edge with three wins, three draws, and one defeat. Goals have been scarce in this fixture, with only one match producing three or more. Their most recent encounters ended in a 1-1 draw, followed by back-to-back 1-0 wins for each side.
Betting
Manchester United 9/10
Draw 5/1
Real Sociedad 33/10
Verdict
With momentum on their side and Real Sociedad struggling, Manchester United will back themselves to secure a quarter-final spot at Old Trafford. If Amorim’s men can replicate their strong weekend performance, they should get the win they need to advance further in this competition.
Suggested Bet: Full Time Result – Manchester United at 9/10
Top of FormBottom of FormClick here for all of this week’s European football action
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
