With just four teams remaining and a place in the final now within touching distance, Thursday’s second-leg clashes promise high drama and tension. Below are my thoughts and betting suggestions for each decisive encounter.
Before we get into Thursday’s preview, here’s a quick look at the latest outright odds following last week’s dramatic first-leg results: Manchester United are now the favourites at 8/10, with Tottenham Hotspur priced at 23/20. Bodo/Glimt remain outsiders at 20/1, while last week’s outright favourites, Athletic Bilbao, have drifted significantly to 45/1.
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BODO/GLIMT v TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR – Click here to bet
Tottenham Hotspur take a 3-1 lead into Thursday’s Europa League semi-final second leg, but Ange Postecoglou will know the tie is far from over after Bodo/Glimt’s late consolation goal in London. What looked like a routine win at 3-0 suddenly became more delicate, with that away goal giving the Norwegian side renewed hope ahead of their return to the Arctic Circle.
Kjetil Knutsen’s men have built their campaign around an excellent home record. They’ve won six of their seven European matches at the Aspmyra Stadion this season and recently defeated Lazio 2-0 there — a scoreline they’ll be desperate to replicate. Bodo/Glimt have played 15 matches to reach this stage in Europe, winning 7, drawing 2, and losing 6, highlighting the taxing nature of their journey. With no domestic fixture over the weekend, they’ve had extra time to prepare and enter the clash unbeaten in their new league season (W3, D1), currently sitting fourth in the Eliteserien.
That said, they were second-best for large spells in the first leg and fortunate to escape North London with just a two-goal deficit. Improvement is essential if they are to overturn the scoreline and reach a first-ever European final.
Tottenham, meanwhile, rested key players in a 1-1 draw at West Ham over the weekend, highlighting their full focus on the Europa League. Sitting 16th in the Premier League and with no realistic shot at qualifying for Europe via the domestic route, this competition represents their only remaining shot at silverware — and continental football next season.
Postecoglou’s side have played 13 matches in Europe this season, winning eight, drawing three, and losing just two — both by a single-goal margin. On the road, Spurs have claimed three wins from six, though they’ve kept just one clean sheet and seen both teams score in four of those games.
The Lilywhites know they’re entering a difficult environment, but their attacking quality and recent European experience should provide enough of a platform to manage the tie. Still, with Bodo/Glimt’s strong home form and nothing to lose, the second leg promises a tense 90 minutes.
Head-to-Head
Tottenham Hotspur hold the advantage in the head-to-head after claiming a 3-1 victory in London last week in what was the first-ever meeting between the two sides.
Betting
Bodo/Glimt 19/10
Draw 29/10
Tottenham Hotspur 5/4
Verdict
Spurs should have enough to progress, but Bodo/Glimt have been formidable at home and will put up a strong fight. Expect chances at both ends, with both teams likely to find the net in what promises to be another competitive and entertaining encounter.
Suggested Bet: Totals – Over 2.5 at 8/13
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MANCHESTER UNITED v ATHLETIC BILBAO – Click here to bet
Manchester United return to Old Trafford on Thursday with a commanding 3-0 aggregate lead over Athletic Bilbao, knowing that barring a second-leg collapse, they are well-positioned to book a place in this season’s Europa League final — which will ironically take place at Bilbao’s own stadium.
Despite their dominant showing in the first leg, it’s been a turbulent domestic season for the Red Devils. A much-changed side suffered a chaotic 4-3 defeat to Brentford at the weekend, a result that left them 15th in the Premier League with nothing left to play for on the home front. That loss, however, is unlikely to faze them too much given their laser focus on European success.
Indeed, United have been a different proposition on the continent this term. They are the only unbeaten team left in the Europa League with eight wins and five draws from 13 matches. At Old Trafford, Ruben Amorim’s men have won five of six games, drawing the other, and have scored 17 goals at home in this competition. While they’ve only kept one clean sheet in those six home matches, their attacking form has more than compensated.
Athletic Bilbao, meanwhile, will be left wondering what could have been. Ernesto Valverde’s side were competitive early in the first leg before a costly red card in the 35th minute derailed their hopes. From that point forward, it was damage control — but they couldn’t prevent United from running away with a three-goal cushion.
Bilbao now face a daunting task in Manchester. Their away form in Europe this season has been shaky, with two defeats in six road games, including a 4-1 thrashing in Istanbul against Besiktas. The Basques have managed just two clean sheets away from home in the tournament. Still, they remain fourth in La Liga and in the thick of the Champions League qualification race, having ground out a 0-0 draw at Real Sociedad over the weekend — a performance that may have taken more out of them than it gave.
The final being held at their San Mamés home makes this tie all the more painful should they fall short, but Valverde’s side will need to take risks early if they’re to pull off what would be a miraculous comeback.
Betting
Manchester United 11/10
Draw 5/2
Athletic Bilbao 26/10
Verdict
United’s dominant first-leg display and their imperious home form in Europe make them firm favourites to reach the final, as they look to finish the job at Old Trafford. With Bilbao needing to push forward, the game could open up and produce goals. While the Basques may find the net, United’s attacking firepower should once again prove decisive. Expect a competitive contest, but the hosts are likely to preserve their unbeaten European record this season and secure qualification with room to spare.
Suggested Bet: Double Chance and Both Teams to Score – Manchester United/Draw and Yes at 12/10
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
