Rangers and Athletic Bilbao square off in a Europa League quarter-final first leg that has all the ingredients of an open, attacking affair — and the data backs a prediction of Both Teams to Score (BTTS).
Glasgow Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao – Equilibrated Clash in Europa League – Game Preview, Key Stats, Betting Predictions.
Rangers’ Home Struggles, But Not Goal-Shy
Glasgow Rangers may be enduring a poor run at Ibrox — five consecutive home defeats in 90 minutes across all competitions — but they remain dangerous in the final third. Barry Ferguson’s tenure has seen no clean sheets in seven games, suggesting defensive fragility, but they’ve still scored in six of those seven matches, often compensating at the other end.
Their Europa League top scorer Václav Černý (6 goals) is in strong form, and the club is on the brink of becoming the first Scottish team to score 100 goals in the UEL — a milestone they’ll be desperate to hit at home. Rangers have also scored in five of their last six Europa League matches, including against solid opposition like Fenerbahce.
Athletic Bilbao’s Away Form: Goals In, Goals Out
Athletic Club, while currently solid in La Liga‘s top four, have just one clean sheet in their last seven UEL away matches, and their Europa League form also shows a tendency to trade goals — scoring in seven of their last nine UEL games, including in tough spots like Rome.
They’ve found consistency in attack with Iñaki Williams contributing five goals in the competition and usually striking first — a key trend given they’ve opened the scoring in seven of their last nine UEL matches. With Nico Williams and Oihan Sancet also likely to feature in a full-strength attack, Bilbao have the firepower to exploit Rangers’ backline.
Glasgow Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao – Historical Trends and Match Context
Both sides enter the match with clear motivation. Rangers, with domestic hopes fading, will push for a first-leg lead, especially given their poor away record in Europe.
Bilbao, meanwhile, know an away goal is crucial, especially against a side that hasn’t kept a clean sheet under their current coach.
Given that Rangers have failed to win 15 of their last 17 matches against Spanish opposition, they’ll need to be aggressive at home to set the tone. That should open up opportunities at both ends.
Glasgow Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao – Preview Conclusion
With defensive vulnerabilities on both sides, attacking players in form, and the weight of knockout stage urgency, goals at both ends look very likely in this matchup. Match Analysis Prediction: Both Teams to Score
