Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao predictions, odds and betting tips

Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao best bets

Rangers or draw – 4/6 with Betfred
Under 2.5 goals – 10/11 with Spreadex
Cyriel Dessers to score any time – 11/4 with BetMGM

Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao odds

Find the latest match odds for Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao. All odds are provided by our best football betting sites. Odds are subject to change.

Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao predictions

For a long while it looked like Rangers’ season was going to fizzle out into nothingness.

When Philippe Clement was fired as the club’s manager towards the end of February, Rangers were 13 points adrift of Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

A tricky Europa League tie against Fenerbahce loomed on the horizon. Most expected Rangers to lose to Jose Mourinho’s side in the round of 16, thus leaving them with nothing meaningful to play for until the end of the campaign.

As it happened, Rangers made the most of their underdog status. A fantastic performance in Istanbul saw them win the first leg 3-1. Fenerbahce then triumphed 2-0 at Ibrox, but Rangers held their nerve to win the penalty shoot-out.

It was a tremendous victory for Barry Ferguson, the interim manager. Having made 431 appearances for Rangers as a player, the former midfielder was a smart choice to lead the team on a temporary basis, Against Fenerbahce Ferguson showed he brings more than good vibes to the table.

Rangers finished as runners-up in the Europa League under Clement three years ago. Their supporters are now daring to dream of another run to the tournament showpiece, which takes place at San Mames, the home of Athletic Bilbao, on May 21.

That choice of venue gives Athletic extra motivation. They are the favourites to advance to the semi-finals from this tie. Ferguson knows that his team will be up against it, but at least Rangers now have something to play for.

One thing is for sure: they will need to be much better than they were in a 2-0 loss to Hibernian at the weekend. Ferguson gave a fiery press conference after the game and revealed that he will make a “series of changes” to his XI for the visit of Athletic, a team he admits he has not seen much of.

“Honestly, I’ve not watched them, because I’m very much game to game,” the Scot said. “My staff have watched them. They tried to talk about it yesterday, but I’m not interested. I had to concern myself with Hibs.

“I know they’re a quality team, but, again, these are the games where you don’t need to really motivate people, because you’re in Europe. It’s a different kind of atmosphere.”

Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao betting tips

Rangers will hope that home advantage proves to be decisive in their meeting with Athletic Bilbao.

Rangers or draw

Ibrox is home to one of the most raucous atmospheres in European football, but Rangers have lost each of their last five games at their so-called fortress.

That is a worrying sign ahead of Thursday’s encounter with an Athletic Bilbao side that is going strong in La Liga. The Basques are fourth in their domestic league, six points behind Atletico Madrid, and they beat Roma in the previous round of the Europa League.

Ferguson has been critical of his players’ inability to get themselves up for run-of-the-mill league games, but as the above quotes demonstrate, he believes motivation will not be an issue here.

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In his weekend comments, the Rangers boss was clearly looking to provoke a reaction from his players – and he should get one here.

Athletic are a better team than Rangers and they will probably advance over two legs. On Thursday, though, we expect the Ibrox crowd will help Rangers avoid defeat.

Back Rangers or a draw at 4/6 with Betfred

Under 2.5 goals

With a second leg still to come, the principal aim for both teams will to still be in the tie at the midway point.

For Athletic Bilbao, there is no great desperation to win on Thursday.

That is not to say Ernesto Valverde’s side will be actively playing for a draw, but they will certainly not take undue risks at Ibrox.

Athletic’s matches tend to be tight anyway. They drew 0-0 with Villarreal at the weekend and 0-0 with Osasuna in the game before that. Their last four La Liga fixtures have contained a grand total of three goals.

As for Rangers, there have been more than 2.5 goals in just one of their last five Ibrox appearances.

Go for under 2.5 goals at 10/11 with Spreadex

Cyriel Dessers to score any time

If there is to be a Rangers hero on Thursday, it is likely to be Cyriel Dessers.

The Nigerian has scored 23 goals in 47 games in all competitions, including the all-important opener against Fenerbahce in the first leg.

Dessers was linked with a move away from Glasgow in the winter window and he will probably be on the move at the end of the season.

Before that, he will be desperate to inspire Rangers to Europa League glory, starting with this quarter-final against Athletic Bilbao.

Tip Cyriel Dessers to score any time at 11/4 with BetMGM

How to watch Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao

Location: Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow, Scotland.
Date and time: Thursday 10th April, 8pm.
How to watch: TNT Sports 2.

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Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao predictions, odds and betting tips

Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao best bets

Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao odds

Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao predictions