The Europa League quarter-finals are finely poised, with all four ties still in the balance ahead of the second legs. Rangers held Athletic Bilbao to a 0-0 draw at Ibrox despite only having ten men on the pitch. Manchester United, despite their continued domestic struggles, drew 2-2 away at Lyon, keeping their hopes of progressing alive. Spurs and Eintracht Frankfurt drew 1-1 in the first leg in London, with this fixture set to be decided in Germany, while Norwegian underdogs Bodo/Glimt stunned Lazio with a 2-0 win, leaving the Italians with it all to do. With the final set for May 21 at the home of Athletic Bilbao, it’s still all to play for this week.
Athletic Bilbao vs Rangers (0-0)
The first leg of this tie didn’t exactly go to plan for Rangers, as defender Robin Propper was dismissed after just 13 minutes, meaning Barry Ferguson’s side had to play with ten men for the majority of the game. Despite being a man down, Rangers held firm, with goalkeeper Liam Kelly coming to the fore, saving a late penalty, and keeping a crucial clean sheet. Rangers also saw midfielder Bailey Rice stretchered off due to a head injury.
With an aggregate score of 0-0, Athletic Bilbao vs Rangers is a game that could go either way. The home team start as favourites, and they know the final will be played at their stadium, too, so they have an extra incentive to progress. However, Rangers will be buoyed by their first leg performance, where they showed a lot of resilience to play with a man less for most of the game, going on to secure a draw and a clean sheet against the odds.
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Spurs (1-1)
In the first leg of this Europa League quarter-final game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, it was the away side, Eintracht Frankfurt, who struck first through Hugo Etitike, who scored a great solo goal on 6 minutes. Spurs were level 20 minutes later from a Pedro Porro backheel finish, with the score staying level at 1-1 until the final whistle. Spurs came away from the match disappointed as they dominated possession, created chances, and hit the woodwork multiple times.
With the tie finely poised at 1-1, it’s the home team that start as favourites in Eintracht Frankfurt vs Spurs because they have home advantage, and their fans will be right behind them. However, Spurs come into the game knowing they were the better team in the first leg and that if they can turn dominance into goals, there’s no reason why they can’t progress. Winning in Germany and making the semi-finals will be crucial for both Spurs and Ange Postecoglu after a dismal Premier League campaign.
Lazio vs Bodo/Glimt (0-2)
Not many expected Bodo/Glimt to get the better of Italian giants Lazio in their first leg tie but that’s exactly what they did when they ran out 2-0 winners in Norway. Ulrik Saltnes was on hand to score both goals, netting on 47 and 69, giving his team a solid lead to take to Italy. Bodo/Glimt dominated the match, with Lazio only mustering up one shot on target. The weather conditions, including the artificial pitch, unsettled Lazio, and it’s left the Norwegian outfit on course to reach their first European semi-final.
Bodo/Glimt are the only team to have won in quarter-final first-leg ties, and this means they have something to defend in Lazio vs Bodo/Glimt. However, this also means Lazio have to turn around a two-goal deficit, so they will naturally be fired up and looking to utilise home support and experience in European competitions to their advantage. Lazio are favourites to win the game, but Bodo/Glimt, two goals to the good, are the team expected to make the semis. The first goal in this one will be decisive.
Manchester United vs Lyon (2-2)
The first-leg tie between Lyon and Manchester United was the most exciting of all the games, with the final score 2-2. Lyon opened the scoring on 25 minutes when Thiago Almada’s free-kick eluded United’s out-of-form goalkeeper Andre Onana. 19-year-old defender Lenny Yoro headed home the leveller just before halftime, and on 88 minutes, Joshua Zirkzee appeared to have won it for the away side. However, Rayan Cherki was on hand to spoil the party, capitalising on another Onana gaffe.
If the first leg is anything to go by, Manchester United vs Lyon should be another great game for the neutral. Both teams come into the match having everything to play for, and United will be hoping that home advantage works in their favour. If Onana didn’t make the mistakes he did in Lyon, then United could be well on their way to victory already. The goalkeeping situation remains a concern, and Lyon will be keen to take advantage once again. United will be without Joshua Zirkzee, who was injured last time out against Newcastle United.
The Semi-Finals
The 2024/25 Europa League semi-finals are what every team left in the competition is aiming to reach. The semi-final first legs will take place on May 1, with the return fixtures on May 8.
The semi-final draw is as follows:
- Semi-final 1: Winner of Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao vs Winner of Lyon vs Manchester United.
- Semi-final 2: Winner of Bodo/Glimt vs Lazio vs Winner of Spurs vs Eintracht Frankfurt.
In the first half of the semi-final draw it’s Rangers or Athletic Bilbao taking on Lyon or Manchester United. Bilbao will fancy their chances of advancing after drawing 0-0 at Ibrox. And if United can cut out the mistakes that continue to plague them at the back, they will feel there’s a chance to make the semi-finals and put their disappointing Premier League campaign behind them. Home advantage should come into play, too.
In the other half of the draw, you’d imagine that Bodo/Glimt will be the team playing Eintracht Frankfurt or Spurs in the semi-finals. If the Norwegian outfit score first in Italy, they will be in total control of the tie. The Italians must strike first and put some doubt into the minds of the Bodo/Glimt players. The second leg between Eintracht Frankfurt and Spurs could go either way. Frankfurt have home advantage, but Spurs dominated the first leg and should have won.
There’s more than just a spot in the semi-finals up for grabs for the four teams left in the competition; there’s also a route into the 2025/26 Champions League. Right now, Athletic Bilbao and Manchester United are the most strongly fancied teams to triumph according to Europa League Winner 2024/25 outright odds.
Final Thoughts
The second-leg ties in the Europa League could really go either way, which is why Europa League odds & betting is worth checking out. Three ties are level heading into the second legs, with the expectation being that home advantage will play a part in deciding outcomes. Bodo/Glimt are 2-0 ahead on aggregate against Lazio, but even that tie could go either way if the Italian side scores first, as momentum will be with them at home.
