Athletic Club will host Manchester United at San Mamés in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League semi-final on Thursday. Kick-off is at 8:00 PM BST, with live coverage on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.
🏟️ Match Preview
Athletic Club enter the match in strong form, sitting fourth in La Liga and boasting a perfect home record in this season's Europa League, with six wins from six and an aggregate score of 14-2 at San Mamés .
Their defense is the best in La Liga, and they remain unbeaten at home in European competition this season.
Manchester United, under new manager Ruben Amorim, have struggled domestically, going winless in their last five Premier League games. However, they showed resilience in Europe, notably with a dramatic comeback against Lyon in the quarter-finals .
Amorim has acknowledged the challenge posed by Athletic's intensity and highlighted the need for improved goal-scoring efficiency.
🔑 Key Players & Team News
- Athletic Club: Nico Williams, with five Europa League goals this season, is fit and expected to start. Top scorer Oihan Sancet is likely sidelined due to a hamstring injury, with Unai Gómez a potential replacement.
- Manchester United: Defender Diogo Dalot is unavailable, and Noussair Mazraoui is expected to fill in at right wing-back . Bruno Fernandes remains a key figure, having contributed six goals in the semi-finals of this competition.
📊 Prediction
Given Athletic's formidable home form and United's recent struggles, a narrow victory for the hosts seems likely.
Predicted Score: Athletic Club 2-1 Manchester United
📺 How to Watch
- UK: TNT Sports 1 (coverage starts at 7:00 PM BST)
- Live Stream: Discovery+ app and website
- Highlights: Available post-match on the TNT Sports app and YouTube channel