Rangers v Athletic Bilbao

A place in the semi-finals beckons as two storied clubs, unfamiliar foes on the European stage, collide for the very first time. For Rangers, with domestic ambitions slipping away, continental glory now takes centre stage - their sights set on a first European final since 2021/22. Athletic Bilbao, meanwhile, chase a return to the last four for the first time since their run to the 2012 final, as they look to end over a decade of frustration in Europe’s secondary showpiece.

⭐ Rangers v Athletic Bilbao Best Bet

Given the combative styles of both teams, cards are... well, on the cards. Rangers’ European games average 4.9 cards per match, a number that spikes to 6.6 when playing at home. Four of their five Europa League home games have produced at least five cards.

Athletic Bilbao are similarly combustible - their matches have seen exactly five cards per game on average in Europe, with six or more cards landing in four of their five away fixtures.

🟢 Rangers v Athletic Bilbao ABC Exclusive Boost

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👕 Rangers v Athletic Bilbao Predicted XI

🔍 Rangers v Athletic Bilbao Player to Watch

🔵Cyriel Dessers

While Dessers averages a modest 1.1 fouls won per 90 in domestic competition, he elevates on the European stage, drawing 1.6 per 90. He’s won two or more fouls in four straight Europa League starts. Bilbao’s backline has committed 14 fouls across their last three outings, providing plenty of opportunity for Dessers to continue that trend.

📂 Rangers v Athletic Bilbao Cheat Sheet

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Check out more in-depth Rangers v Athletic Bilbao Betting Stats here.

💻 Rangers v Athletic Bilbao Form and Tactics

With domestic silverware looking out of reach, Rangers have shifted their full focus to the Europa League. They reached this stage after a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Fenerbahçe in the round of 16, having lost the home leg 2-0. That result continued a theme under Barry Ferguson - now seven games into his managerial stint - where clean sheets remain elusive (W4, L3).

Rangers are direct and gritty, ranking among the lowest in the competition for possession (42.2%) and leaning heavily on clearances (28.9 per game) to alleviate pressure rather than building from the back. Despite that, they produce one of the highest shots on target per match figures, showing a willingness to commit bodies forward quickly.

Discipline is an issue, with the side committing 14.3 fouls per game - the fifth-worst record left in the tournament. A goal here would mark their 100th in UEL history, but overcoming a Spanish opponent will be tough: they’ve failed to win 15 of their last 17 clashes with teams from Spain (W2, D7, L8).

Athletic Bilbao arrive in Glasgow with their sights set on a rare European semi-final appearance, having last reached this stage back in 2012 when they were runners-up. The Basque outfit are flying high in La Liga and edged out Roma in the last round despite trailing after the first leg. They narrowly missed topping the UEL league phase on goal difference.

Tactically disciplined and defensively rock-solid, Athletic boast the 4th-best backline in the competition, with four clean sheets, the 2nd-best xG conceded (8.9), and an average of just 2.1 saves needed per game from their keeper. Their style stifles opposition threat, though they don’t overwhelm going forward, ranking 19th for attacking output.

That said, they are sharp when it counts, ranking among the best in big chance conversion (27th for big chances missed). Like Rangers, they walk a fine line in discipline, averaging 14.1 fouls per game. Having scored first in seven of their last nine UEL outings (W7, L2), they’ll look to assert early control once more.

🏁 Rangers v Athletic Bilbao Ref Watch

• Referee - Istvan Kovacs

• Stats are per 90 and are taken from 24/25 UEFA club competition games (7 total)

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* I recommend waiting for confirmed team line-ups before placing any bets.

* All odds displayed correct at the time of publishing.