Athletic Bilbao have been a force to be reckoned with at home in the Europa League this season. Ernesto Valverde’s side have emerged victorious from each of their five Europa League home games this season, the most recent of which saw them topple Italian heavyweights Roma. The Basque Country club have also proven to be a tough nut to crack on home turf in La Liga this term, losing just one of their 15 matches in front of their own supporters. The Lions have the added incentive of a home final to fight for, and they should have enough in their locker to come out on top against Rangers.

While the Light Blues will certainly be no pushovers, they have conceded multiple goals in seven of their nine matches under interim boss Barry Ferguson’s watch, which doesn’t bode well ahead of a trip to the San Mames.

Thursday’s second leg showdown should prove to be a more watchable affair, making both teams to score an appealing option at the odds on offer. While Athletic Bilbao have made their San Mames home a fortress this season, they have failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their last two Europa League victories on their own patch, one of which was against Viktoria Plzen. It’s also worth noting that the likes of Mallorca and Rayo Vallecano contributed to the scoring in their respective visits to the Basque Country in recent times, further suggesting that Rangers can follow suit.

The Gers have netted at least one goal in nine of their 11 Europa League outings this season, including each of their five matches away from Ibrox. What’s more, each of Rangers’ last fourcontinental contests away from home have seen both teams score, one of which was against Manchester United at Old Trafford. On top of that, the Scottish giants recently shared five goals away from home with Old Firm rivals Celtic.

With an entertaining second leg anticipated at the San Mames on Thursday night, a minimum of one goal in each half looks worth siding with. There has been at least one goal scored on either side of the interval in seven of Athletic Bilbao’s 11 Europa League matches this season so far, including each of their last three outings at their Basque Country base. What’s more, three of the Lions’ last five home games in La Liga have featured one goal or more in each half of the game.

As for Rangers, they, like their hosts, have also seen at least one goal scored in each half of the game in seven of their 11 continental contests this term. On top of that, each of the Light Blues’ six Scottish Premiership matches under Barry Ferguson’s guidance have featured goals on both sides of the referee’s half time whistle.

Oihan Sancet is enjoying a fine season in front of goal, making him a great anytime goalscorer option on Thursday night. The attacking midfielder is Athletic Bilbao’s top scorer this season, scoring 15 goals in La Liga and one in the Europa League. The classy 24-year-old added another two goals to his tally at the weekend against Rayo Vallecano. That means Sancet has now scored six goals across his last three La Liga outings at the San Mames Stadium, including a hat-trick against Girona. 

That doesn't bode well for a Rangers side that have failed to silence their opponents in eight of their 11 Europa League matches this season, including each of their last four away from Ibrox.