Live on ESPN, ITV4 & Five: Thurs 20.05: Schalke are 6/5 (Boylesports) to edge out Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of their Europa League tie.
Manchester United’s Europa League conquerors Athletic Bilbao face what, on paper, looks like a more straightforward assignment as the tournament reaches the quarter final stage but they are nevertheless as high as 5/2 with Stan James to mete out the same punishment to Schalke 04 as they did to Sir Alex Ferguson’s men by beating the Bundesliga outfit on their own patch.
The hosts are 6/5 via Boylesports, to take a first leg advantage over to Spain and it’s 5/2 (Skybet) to finish all square in Schalke’s Veltins-Arena while in the qualification betting, Bilbao are favoured at 4/6 via William Hill to book their place in the last four over the course of the two matches.
Nevertheless, the German outfit have a decent home record in the competition while the visitors’ form aside from their triumph over United leaves a lot to be desired so as far as the first leg goes, Schalke could shade it.
Blue Square rate them at 16/5 to triumph by a solitary goal in Gelsenkirchen, where it’s just 4/7 with Coral for both teams to score and with that in mind, a modest flutter on Huub Stevens’ troops, at a generous 9/1 (Ladbrokes) to finish on the right side of a 2-1 scoreline, is worth considering.
Spanish and German opposition also face off in Madrid but this time, it’s the La Liga side that can pick up the win as Stan James’ 8/15 favourites Atletico Madrid tackle Hannover. BetVictor meanwhile, make Sporting Lisbon 23/20 to follow up their two-leg success over Manchester City by beating Metallist Kharkiv in the home leg of their last eight tie and Boylesports chalk 12/5 against the clash between AZ Alkmaar and Valencia finish all square.
Recommended Bets:
Schalke to beat Athletic Bilbao 2-1 – 9/1 (Ladbrokes)
Double on Atletico Madrid and Sporting Lisbon – 11/5 (BetVictor)
Compare all Europa League odds and bet at the best price.
