The second legs of the Europa League semi final matches take place on Thursday when Athletic Bilbao travel to Manchester United 3-0 down and Spurs have a 3-1 lead for their visit to Bodo Glimt
Match result prices quoted from Sportingbet are correct at the time of writing but subject to change.
Manchester United 21/20 Draw 24/10 Athletic Bilbao 5/2
United are in complete control after a 3-0 victory in Bilbao a week ago. Casemiro gave them a 30th minute lead and Bruno Fernandes added 2 more before half time, the first from a penalty which led to a red card for Bilbao's Dani Vivian.
United came through an epic battle with Lyon in the quarter finals, 7-6 on aggregate. The first leg in Lyon finished all square at 2-2 and the return at Old Trafford was full of late drama. Regulation time again finished at 2-2 but Lyon were reduced to 10 men in the closing stages. The French side then took a 4-2 lead on the night but 3 United goals from the 114th minute onwards saw them squeeze through.
In their Ro16 clash with Real Socieded United came out on top 5-2 on aggregate. The first leg in Spain finished all square at 1-1 and a Bruno Fernandes hat trick (including 2 pens) saw United through as 4-1 winners on the night. United were unbeaten in the league phase, drawing their first 3 matches but winning each of the next 5.
In the EPL United are 15th in standings and the Europa League is their only hope of a trophy this season.
Athletic had booked their place in the semi finals after seeing off Rangers. They drew the first leg 0-0 in Glasgow before a 2-0 win in the return in Bilbao thanks to a Sancet penalty and a late strike from Nico Williams.
In the Round of 16 Athletic lost their first leg of their clash with Roma 2-1 away from home but they turned the tie around with a 3-1 home win (Williams brace) to go through 4-3 on aggregate. Athletic finished as runners up in the league phase with 6 wins, 1 draw and just the 1 defeat.
In La Liga Athletic are in fourth place and very much on course to qualify for the Champions League next season.
The Verdict
You can get odds of around 14/1 for Bilbao to turn this around and go through via any method which illustrates the massive task they have in front of them. Bilbao will give it a go for sure but given their need to score 3 to have any chance Im can see them being picked off and Gnarcho gets the vote to score anytime for the hosts.
Bets: Anytime goalscorer Gnarcho at 22/10 with Sportingbet
Bodo Glimt 19/10 Draw 11/4 Spurs 5/4
Spurs won the first leg 3-1 in Loindon, taking a first minute lead through Johnson, Maddision made it 2-0 before half time and Solnake added a third just after the hour from the penalty spot. However Bodo pulled a goal back through Saltnes on 83 minutes, it finished 3-1 and the Norwegians still have some hope.
Bodo are the surprise package and they accounted for Lazio in the quarter finals, winning the first leg 2-0 on home turf and after Lazio won the second leg 3-1 to force spot kicks it was Bodo who held their nerve.
In the Ro16 Bodo were 3-0 winners at home to Olympiakos and despite losing the return 2-1 they had done enough to go through. Bodo finished ninth in the league phase with 4 wins, 2 draws and 2 defeats which set up a play off with FC Twente. They were 2-1 down after the first leg but a 5-2 home win turned things around in some style.
The Norwegian domestic season is in its early stages and Bodo are currently unbeaten with 3 wins and 1 draw.
Spurs edged a tight quarter final match up with Frankfurt 2-1 on aggregate. The first leg in London finished all square at 1-1 and a Solanke penalty saw Spurs edge the return in Germany.
After losing the first leg of their Ro16 clash away to AZ Alkmaar, Spurs turned things around with a 3-1 to go through 3-2 on aggregate. Spurs had qualified for the knockout rounds automatically with a record of 5 wins, 2 draws and 1 defeat.
In the EPL Spurs are 16th in the standings so this competition is also their only opportunity to rescue what has been a poor season.
The Verdict
As pointed out by avid Spurs fan and very astute punter Stokes on our discussion forum, Bodo's late goal last week, an artificial surface and the potential absence of some key players could still see Spurs in for a rough ride.
The hosts will have to press on though and I fancy a Spurs goal regardless of the match result. However rather than look for a goalscorer with the team news rather unclear Pedro-Porro is my choice for an assist, just as he did in the first leg.
Bets: Player assists 1 or more Pedro Porro at 4.25/1 with Sportingbet
Note, prices quoted are subject to change
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