Europa League: Athletic Bilbao vs Lokomotiv Moscow Odds and Betting Preview

BILBAO, SPAIN – Athletic Bilbao welcome Lokomotiv Moscow to the Estadio San Mamés this evening needing to overturn a 2-1 first leg deficit to progress to the last sixteen. Athletic have been installed as the strong favourites for the encounter, with Paddy Power quoting an industry-best 4/9 (bet £9 to make £4 profit) on a home victory. Lokomotiv are 15/2 with Bet365 to secure their progression to the last sixteen with a victory whilst the draw is a 7/2 chance at Bet Victor.

After an outstanding first half last week in Moscow, Athletic lost their fluidity in the second period to allow Lokomotiv come from behind to secure a 2-1 victory and leave the tie delicately poised for this evening’s second leg in Bilbao. Los Leones proved their quality earlier in the season when topping their group above nouveau riche Paris Saint Germain and have been in good form in La Liga, with the Basque outfit currently sitting just behind Espanyol in their chase for the fourth and final Champions League spot.

Marco Bielsa’s side are unquestionably the more talented side on paper and will still be expected to progress from the tie to set up a potential last sixteen clash with Manchester United.

Lokomotiv Moscow shook off the rust of their winter break in the second half at the Luzhniki Stadium last week to keep themselves firmly in the tie and give them a narrow lead to protect this evening. With the Russian League still in winter hibernation, José Couceiro’s side’s come into the contest well rested and fully focused on securing their passage to the tournament’s last sixteen.

The Railwaymen have no fresh injury worries for the encounter but will of course continue to be without star January signing Roman Pavlyuchenko, who is ineligible for the encounter having appeared in the competition for Tottenham earlier in the season.

In the correct score market, 2-0 to Athletic is the favoured result at a best price of 6/1 with Ladbrokes whilst 3-1 to the hosts is an 11/1 chance at SkyBet. Lokomotiv are 20/1 with Bet365 to win the match by a goal to nil whilst 2-1 to the visitors is a 22/1 shot with Betfred. William Hill offer 17/2 on the 1-1 draw whilst a goalless affair is a 14/1 chance at Paddy Power.

In the Half-Time/Full-Time market, Athletic are 23/20 with Stan James to be leading at the interval and go on to claim the victory whilst Draw/Athletic is a 10/3 chance with Betfred. Lokomotiv/Lokomotiv can be backed at a best price of 16/1 with William Hill whilst Draw/Lokomotiv is also an 18/1 chance with Bet365. Athletic/Lokomotiv is a 80/1 longshot in the market with Boylesports.

Spanish International Fernando Llorente, who has scored eleven goals in his last eleven appearances for Athletic, is the 7/2 favourite to break the deadlock between the sides at Bet Victor. Gaizka Toquero is a 6/1 chance in the market with Paddy Power whilst supremely talented youngster Iker Muniain is a 6/1 shot to open the scoring with Bet365. Former Manchester City striker Felipe Caicedo is Lokomotiv’s top chance in the market at 12/1 with Bet Victor whilst Dmitri Sychev, who has scored six goals in the competition already this season, is a 14/1 shot with Bet365.

Athletic are the favourites to qualify from the tie, with Coral offering an industry-leading 8/13 on the hosts progressing whilst Loko are a 6/4 chance with Bet365.

The Match Kicks off at 1800 GMT with live coverage on ITV 4.

Athletic Bilbao vs Lokomotiv Moscow Match Result Betting
Athletic Bilbao vs Lokomotiv Moscow Correct Score Betting
Athletic Bilbao vs Lokomotiv Moscow Half-Time/Full-Time Betting
Athletic Bilbao vs Lokomotiv Moscow First Goalscorer Betting
Athletic Bilbao vs Lokomotiv Moscow Qualify From The Tie Betting