Preview

May

2025

Preview: Inter and Barcelona prepare to go again

After a six-goal first leg, can Inter Milan make home advantage count against Barcelona to make another Champions League final?

By Graham Ruthven

Rivalry resumed

Not for the first time, Barcelona and Inter Milan produced a classic in the Champions League semi-final when they met last week.

In contrast to the 2010 encounter between the same two clubs when José Mourinho edged a cagey, conservative affair against Pep Guardiola’s team, the first leg of this particular semi-final was sheer chaos, finishing in a 3-3 draw.

This leaves Tuesday’s second leg on a knife-edge. Inter will have opportunities to score again. They will look to expose the space in behind Barca’s high line with set pieces another area where they can hurt the Catalans.

Barcelona, however, boast the most fearsome attack in European football. Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Pedri showcased their potency in the first leg and will be influential at San Siro too.

Robert Lewandowski could feature after missing last week’s match through injury. The Polish striker’s return would give Barca an even sharper cutting edge in front of goal, although Hansi Flick already has several goal threats to count on.

Key players

Inter need Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram at their sharpest to get the better of Barcelona and make their second Champions League final in three seasons.

Thuram opened the scoring last week with a wonderful backheel finish. Martínez, however, was forced off early through injury and missed the weekend win over Verona. There are questions over his fitness.

Defensively, Inter have one of the best records in this season’s Champions League. This is down to the quality of players like Alessandro Bastoni and Yann Bisseck with Federico Dimarco and Denzel Dumfries key outlets on the wings.

*The top rated performances in last week’s first leg*

Even by Lamine Yamal’s incredible standards, his performance in the first leg against Inter was remarkable. The 17-year-old registered more shots and dribbles than anyone else on the pitch, scoring an outrageous goal to get Barcelona back into the game at 2-1.

Raphinha also made his mark by assisting Ferran Torres with a neat header at the back post before forcing the Yann Sommer own goal to make it 3-3, smashing a long-range strike off the bar and in off the goalkeeper.

The midfield battle between Pedri, Gavi and Frenkie de Jong and Nicolo Barella, Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Henrikh Mkhitaryan will be key to determining the dynamic of the match.

Team news

Martínez might not be fully fit, but the Argentina forward is expected to start for Inter such is his importance to the Nerazzurri’s chances of making the Champions League final.

However, Benjamin Pavard will definitely miss Tuesday’s semi-final second leg with Valentín Carboni also an injury absentee.

Marc-André Ter Stegen made his return from injury against Real Valladolid on Saturday and will start against Inter. Next to return – Lewandowski will be named on the bench. Jules Koundé, however, will miss the game after coming off during the first leg, as will left back Alejandro Balde.

Prediction

This one could go all the way, and equally, it could go either way, if last week’s intense first leg is any indicator. Overall, though, with Barcelona’s determination and ability to always find a way to win something that has been on display since the turn of the year in particular, we’re going with Barca to edge it. But don’t hold us to it! Inter 1-2 Barcelona (4-5 agg).

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Champions League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, player ratings, and a new super-intuitive knockout stage bracket. Download the free app here.

May

2025

Preview: Chelsea vs. Champions Liverpool

The champions will receive their first guard of honour this weekend as Liverpool make the trip to Stamford Bridge to take on Champions League chasing Chelsea.

By Sam McGuire

Arne Slot’s side wrapped up the title last weekend with a 5-1 win over Spurs at Anfield. They’ll hope to end the season on a high still, so expect a full strength team on show on Sunday afternoon, much to Chelsea’s dismay.

Goals change games

Despite spending a lot of money on attackers over recent years, it hasn’t really clicked for Chelsea in attack this term. They’re the sixth highest scorers in the league with 1.7 goals per 90 but they’ve struggled to find the back of the net over recent weeks, with six in their last five outings. It has come at the worst time for the Blues.

The goals have dried up for Enzo Maresca’s side.

Their two top scorers this term are Cole Palmer (14) and Nicolas Jackson (10). Jackson netted his first of 2025 last weekend while Palmer is without a league goal since February.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have 11 goals in their last five outings. They hit five against Spurs last time out. They’re the top scorers in the Premier League with 80. After that, the second highest scorers are Manchester City with 66. The Reds are rampant and it is why they’re the champions. The Blues are struggling in the final third and it is why they’re battling it out for a top five finish now after such early promise.

Records for Mo Salah

The Mohamed Salah farewell tour has been prolonged for a further two years. Still, though, there’s a lot up for grabs in the final few weeks. The former Chelsea winger can break a few records before the campaign comes to an end.

He’s two goals off 30 for the season and two assists away from 20. He’d be the first player in Premier League history to score 30 and assist 20. He’s one goal involvement away from matching the record for the most in a single campaign (47) currently shared by Alan Shearer and Andrew Cole.

Salah scored in his last match against Spurs and has a fairly decent record against Chelsea. In fact, he has a fairly decent record against most sides, doesn’t he? The Liverpool No.11 has five goals and four assists against his former club. He registered a goal and an assist in the meeting between the two teams earlier on in the season.

Form does matter

It’ll come as no surprise to hear that Liverpool have the best away record in the Premier League. Slot’s men have won 11 of their 17 games and lost just once as Fulham claimed a shock 3-2 win a few weeks back.

On the road, the Reds have scored 41 goals and conceded just 19. They’re ruthless on their travels.

Chelsea aren’t quite as ruthless at home. They’ve won 10 of their 17 games at Stamford Bridge and have lost just twice. They’re unbeaten in front of their home fans, in the league, since December and have won six of their last eight. However, their last three wins have been 1-0 and they’ve been far from convincing. They’ll need a much better showing on Sunday if they’re to take maximum points off the champions.

Injury situation

Chelsea could be without Robert Sánchez, Christopher Nkunku and Malo Gusto for the game against Liverpool. Wesley Fofana is definitely ruled out of the clash. His injury record is why the Blues are reportedly keen on adding Dean Huijsen to their ranks this summer.

The Reds are without Joe Gomez but should otherwise have a fully fit squad to pick from. Conor Bradley missed the win over Spurs but has been pictured in training this week. This could give Slot a bit of a dilemma at right-back, does he trust the youngster or start Trent Alexander-Arnold?

Prediction

Liverpool won’t want to end the season on a low, so positive results and performances are on the agenda. We’re backing the champions here to eke out a 2-1 win.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

May

2025

Preview: From Bilbao to Brentford, Man United are on the road again

Brentford and Manchester United both had convincing wins in the week, but both have been inconsistent over the whole season.

By Ian King

Inconsistency Kings

Brentford are the Premier League’s inconsistency champions. They haven’t won, lost or drawn more than two successive games all season, and they’ve only managed two successive anything five times, although that does include a fairly swashbuckling 2-0 win at Nottingham Forest on Thursday night to add to their 4-2 win against Brighton last weekend.

Manchester United are five Premier League matches without a win and went into the weekend 14th in the table, but they continue to show their best selves in Europe, with a convincing 3-0 win at Athletic Club in Bilbao in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final. But that win isn’t necessarily a predictor for how they’ll do in the League the following weekend. After they came from behind to beat Lyon 5-4 in the last round, they lost at home to Wolves the following Sunday.

History

For all the chuckles that they’ve provided over the years, Manchester United’s record has been pretty decent against Brentford, with five wins and one draw from their seven meetings since the Bees’ promotion into the Premier League in 2021. Brentford’s sole Premier League win against United – 4-0 at Griffin Park back in August 2022 – was a handsome one but it was also their first and only since February 1938.

*H2H record since Brentford’s promotion*

Key players

Bryan Mbeumo has 18 Premier League goals so far this season while Yoane Wissa has 17. Bruno Fernandes is Manchester United’s top Premier League goalscorer, with eight. Silence those two, and you’ve gone more than halfway towards silencing Brentford. Fernandes has actually scored more goals in all competitions than Mbeumo, though. While all of the Brentford striker’s goals this season have come in the Premier League (and Wissa only has one cup goal), Fernandes has scored 11 in other competitions, including two on Thursday night, taking him to 19 in total. This doesn’t reflect well on United’s forwards.

Team News

With no new injury concerns as a result of their midweek trip to Spain, it’s very much as you were for Manchester United. Ayden Heaven and Toby Collyer could return, but Diogo Dalot is still at least a couple of weeks off. Joshua Zirkzee and Lisandro Martínez are out for the remainder of the season.

Brentford also came through their trip to Nottingham Forest unscathed, and none of those currently in their treatment room – Vitaly Janelt, Joshua Dasilva, Fabio Carvalho, Igor Thiago and Aaron Hickey – are expected back much before the very end of the season.

Prediction

WIth good midweek wins under their belts, both of these teams can come into this match in a reasonably positive frame of mind. Brentford have outstanding attacking options and Manchester United’s defence can be a little lackadaisical, but then Brentford’s home record has been poor and Manchester United remain in the bottom half of the Premier League on merit. These masters of inconsistency are going to end up cancelling each other out, so let’s go for the 1-1 draw.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

May

2025

Preview: Real Madrid take on Europa League chasing Celta Vigo

Real Madrid host Celta Vigo in La Liga as they cling on to their title hopes. Carlo Ancelotti’s side sit second in the table, and they will face a Celta Vigo side who are pushing to finish in the European places.

By Matt Smith

The two sides have faced twice so far this season, once in the Copa del Rey and once in La Liga, with Madrid securing wins in both of those fixtures. Celta Vigo have struggled away at Madrid in recent years, losing their previous five meetings.

Team news

Ancelotti will be without long-term absentees Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão, while Ferland Mendy, David Alaba, and Antonio Rüdiger will all be missing and aren’t expected to return this season. Eduardo Camavinga is also out, while Jude Bellingham and Lucas Vázquez are available after suspension.

Carl Starfelt will miss out for Celta Vigo, while Jones El-Abdellaoui is a doubt. Manager Claudio Giráldez should have no injury concerns heading into this one.

Madrid’s battle with Barcelona

Madrid remain in the fight for the La Liga title, but it’s going to be tricky to beat Barcelona in the race. Hansi Flick’s side have enjoyed an unbelievable season, and Ancelotti’s men have simply been beaten in almost every metric.

Madrid are going through a bit of a transition as they look to find the best way to set up their attack after Kylian Mbappé arrived in the summer transfer window. They’ve shown signs of having a deadly attacking recipe, but Ancelotti’s side are falling short in the title race.

*The table situation going in to the weekend*

Celta Vigo difficult to break down

Celta Vigo’s defensive solidity has played a crucial role in their battle to finish in the European places this season. Giráldez’s side have conceded just 35.9 expected goals, the fourth lowest in the division.

Despite that, Celta Vigo have conceded almost 13 more goals than their xG tally, perhaps suggesting that they’ve been quite unfortunate to let in as many as they have this season. A win could see them go five points clear of ninth if other results go their way.

Time for Vinícius to step up

It’s been a tricky period for Vinícius Júnior, who has scored just once in his previous six games for Madrid, producing no assists during that time. If the Spanish giants are going to have any chance of winning the league, they’ll need the Brazilian to step up in the final few games.

Vinícius has produced a phenomenal 33 goals and assists combined in all competitions this season, so it’s not outrageous to be expecting more from him of late. It might look like an uphill task for Madrid to win the league, but they face leaders Barcelona, which could swing things in their favour.

Prediction

Considering Celta Vigo’s recent record away to Madrid, it’s difficult to see Ancelotti’s side dropping points in this one. With the league title on the line, we’re expecting a comfortable Madrid victory: Real Madrid 3-1 Celta Vigo.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from LaLiga with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

May

2025

Preview: Inter Miami looking to get back on track against Red Bulls

After Inter Miami and Lionel Messi were unceremoniously knocked out of the Concacaf Champions Cup by Vancouver Whitecaps, they can now focus solely on retaining their MLS Supporters’ Shield title and timing their season to hit form ahead of the playoffs. They will be looking to get back on track at home to the New York Red Bulls this weekend.

By James Nalton

Bouncing back

It was a disappointing week for Inter Miami as they were defeated 3-1 at home by the Whitecaps in the Champions Cup, losing the semifinal tie 5-1 on aggregate.

They will be looking to bounce back against the Red Bulls, but the continental exit might be difficult to recover from initially.

In addition to the MLS Cup playoffs, which don’t begin until much later in the year, the Champions Cup was one of the big prizes head coach Javier Mascherano, along with Messi and co., were prioritising this season.

They will need to ensure this disappointment doesn’t carry over into their league performances and instead use it as motivation to show their quality in MLS before they break for the Club World Cup in June.

Defensive issues emerge

Inter Miami’s previous MLS game, a 4-3 defeat to FC Dallas, and the 5-1 aggregate defeat to Vancouver, exposed some underlying defensive issues in the team.

It looked like Mascherano had shored them up and made them difficult to beat, but the weaknesses lay beneath the surface, behind the scorelines.

It’s strange that the team with the joint-fewest goals conceded in MLS going into that game against Dallas was still perceived to have a vulnerable defence, but this was often on show during the games themselves.

*Inter Miami have the 16th worst xG conceded figure in MLS*

Their xG-against also goes some way to showing why this is the case. They were conceding chances but those weren’t always converted into goals by the opposition.

Even after conceding four against Dallas, their xG-against of 13.7 is still higher than actual goals conceded (10), suggesting some poor opposition finishing, good Inter Miami goalkeeping, or luck.

What it certainly suggests is Mascherano’s team still need to improve defensively.

Messi contribution expected

Lionel Messi is currently four games without a goal or an assist in all competitions for Inter Miami.

It is his longest such run when starting games since joining the club in 2023, so he will be expected to get back in among the goals, or at least make an assist, in this game.

He has three goals and two assists in the six of Miami’s nine games he has played in this season.

The team and the fans will be looking to him to get them out of this mini slump.

Charging Red Bulls?

The visiting Red Bulls remain one of the most active pressing teams in MLS, which could cause Miami problems during build-up play.

On the whole, though, Sandro Schwarz’s side are yet to convince this season.

Their mid-table position reflects their inconsistent start, and they only scraped past Montréal last week to claim their fourth win of the year. They are yet to pick up a win away from home.

Emil Forsberg could pose a threat to the Miami defence from an attacking midfield position, while Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting is the club’s top scorer with four, despite an indifferent start to life in MLS.

Prediction

Now they only have the league to focus on, Inter Miami should recover from a three-game losing streak in all competitions and get back to winning ways.

(Cover Image from IMAGO)

You can follow every match from MLS live this season with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including shot maps, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

May

2025

Preview: Top vs. Bottom as Barca go to Valladolid

There’s a massive 60 point gap between these two sides. Real Valladolid have had a shocking season and they’re about to host the reigning domestic cup holders, who could soon also be LaLiga and even European champions.

By Karl Matchett

Almost pointless?

Take a quick glance at the squads, the points tallies and the form guide and nothing about this fixture says anything other than away win. Of course football always gives us the potential for an upset – that’s part of the reason to bother having match-ups like Valladolid against Barcelona – but taking one point from the last 42 available won’t see the home side inspire much hope of springing a surprise. And this would be a massive shock indeed, given Barcelona haven’t lost a domestic match this side of Christmas.

Rotation possibilities

But…and there’s always a but…there is more than one prize for Hansi Flick’s team to keep an eye on. Their Champions League semi-final second leg is only three days after this encounter and it’ll be a huge test of physical resilience as much as technical brilliance, if the first leg is anything to go by.

Barcelona are probably running short of options to change things around too, particularly at the back, so while some players will simply have to keep going and keep showing title-winning form as well as fitness, there is no question Flick will be tempted into changing at least a few faces to keep alive his dreams of a quadruple this term, having already won the Supercopa as well as the Copa del Rey. If Barcelona do slip up here, they know they can minimise that damage by beating Real Madrid the following weekend – there are no such second chances in midweek.

Recent form

The form book makes the most horrible of horrible reading for Álvaro Rubio’s side. One draw and 13 defeats since their last win, only four points earned in total for 2025 and only 16 for the entire season. They’ve conceded 16 in the last four matches alone. Barcelona on the other hand have won 11 of the last 12 in LaLiga – the other a draw – and even away from home it’s four wins on the spin.

Team news

Javi Sánchez and Henrique are sidelined for Real, but another worry is first-choice goalkeeper Karl Hein being an injury doubt.

In contrast, Barca No.1 Marc-André ter Stegen is reportedly going to start this game. They did lose Jules Koundé to injury in midweek and Alejandro Balde probably won’t be risked as he looks to make a comeback against Inter Milan. Robert Lewandowski, Marc Bernal and Marc Casadó are also out.

Key player

If Barcelona do rotate, one of those who could come into the XI would be a starter for most other sides on the planet. Gavi might not have featured as much as he’d normally hope this season but he can control a game with the best of them – on a per 90 minutes basis he averages 76 touches, a 54% dribble success, 6.6 duels won and 4.8 recoveries.

*Gavi player traits, comparison against players in Europe’s top five leagues*

Prediction

No chance Barcelona slip up at this stage of the title race, surely with El Clásico coming up next weekend: Valladolid 1-3 Barcelona.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from LaLiga with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

May

2025

Preview: Arsenal back to league action against Bournemouth

Arsenal host Bournemouth in the Premier League at the Emirates Stadium as the Gunners look to cement their place as runners-up.

By Matt Smith

The Cherries are still in with a shout of finishing in the European places, but a defeat against Arsenal will make their task incredibly difficult.

Bournemouth will be looking to complete a rare double after winning their previous meeting earlier in the season. That was their first victory over the north London outfit since 2018, with Ryan Christie and Justin Kluivert scoring the goals.

Team news

Arsenal will be without both Jorginho and Riccardo Calafiori for the game against Bournemouth, while none of their longer-term injured stars are expected to return, including Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus. Mikel Arteta could look to rest some players for this one with the Premier League title race over and a trip to Paris Saint-Germain coming next week.

Bournemouth will be without Ryan Christie, Enes Ünal, and Luis Sinisterra, but Andoni Iraola shouldn’t have any fresh injury concerns heading into the trip to the Emirates.

Arsenal’s defensive solidity could be key

Keeping the ball out of their own net hasn’t been a problem for Arsenal in the Premier League this season, conceding just 0.9 goals per game. No side has conceded fewer, while they’ve only given up 29.2 expected goals in the campaign.

Creating opportunities has been what separates them and Liverpool this term, with the Gunners producing just 97 big chances to Liverpool’s 136. Being without Bukayo Saka for a large portion of the season has certainly contributed to their lack of creativity, and it’s played a part in the Gunners being unable to lift the Premier League title once again.

Bournemouth a surprise package

Bournemouth started the season in sensational form, being somewhat of a surprise package in England’s top flight. Their performances have become inconsistent as the campaign has gone on, but it’s given them something to build on heading into another season under Iraola.

Their high pressing system makes it incredibly difficult for sides to play out from the back, leading to some impressive results against some of the bigger sides. No team in the Premier League has won possession in the final third more times than the Cherries this term (5.9 per game).

Nwaneri’s time to shine

Young attacker Ethan Nwaneri has struggled for game time in recent weeks with Arteta not wanting to apply too much pressure on the teenager in some crucial games. When given the opportunity this season, Nwaneri has flourished, providing six goals and assists combined in just 810 Premier League minutes.

Arteta could look to rotate due to their Champions League clash next week, and it could be an opportunity for Nwaneri to shine, whether that be on the right-hand side of attack or in the number 10 position.

Prediction

With little on the line for Arsenal and changes expected, it could be an opportunity for the Cherries to pick up a result. Their high-pressing system might cause the Gunners some problems, so we’re going for a 2-1 win for Bournemouth.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

May

2025

Preview: Chelsea are in Stockholm for Conference League semi against Djurgarden

We’ve reached the business end of the Europa Conference League campaign, and, as everyone predicted, Chelsea are right there. This time, Enzo Maresca’s side make the trip to Sweden to face Djurgården.

By Alex Roberts

The Swedish side have somewhat overachieved on the continent but that doesn’t mean they haven’t earned the right to be where they are. Wins against more established sides such as Panathinaikos, Legia Warsaw, and Rapid Wien in the quarters have made them a dark horse.

Chelsea are a different beast all together, however. There is roughly £1.3 billion difference between the two sides in terms of squad value, and in this game, money certainly talks.

Cobham have done it again

Tyrique George is the latest Chelsea academy star making a name for himself. Unlike 95% of those that came before him, he’s done it without going on loan first. The youngster has grasped his opportunity and ran with it.

The equaliser against Fulham earlier this month was the moment that put his name on the lips of Chelsea fans across the globe, but in the very next game against Everton, he was only given a few minutes by under-pressure boss Maresca.

He’s got two goals and four assists in just 846 minutes across all competitions so far this season. This is exactly the kind of game that would give George the opportunity to carry on his momentum and fight for a regular place.

The Swedes have problems in front of goal

For those that don’t know, the Allsvenskan, Sweden’s top division, is topsy turvy. It turns out playing football in the country’s harsh winters is ill advised, who’d have thought it, so they play through the summer instead.

Djurgården’s domestic season has only just begun, but they’re struggling. Sitting down in 11^th with seven points, they’ve remarkably only scored one goal in their five games, and that came from right-back Adam Stahl.

None of their current crop of forwards have a history of being prolific and coming up against the fourth best defence in the Premier League may just be a bridge too far.

“Play a right-back Enzo”

The Italian coach has come under considerable fire for multiple reasons in recent months, with one of the most confusing being what he is currently doing with the right-back position. Central midfielder Moisés Caicedo was given the nod over Reece James in the 1-0 win over Everton.

At his best, James is one of Chelsea’s most potent attacking threats. That has been nullified by Maresca’s insistence that he inverts into midfield or plays him as a CM from the start.

It’s also impacted Cole Palmer’s form. The playmaker likes to play on the right and drift into the number ten role, without someone overlapping he’s unable to draw out opposition defenders and get into positions that would allow him to score or assist. All this micromanaging has gone too far. Play a right-back Enzo.

Prediction

This may sound a little harsh but we simply can’t see Djurgården getting anything from this one. We’re going to go with a comfortable 3-0 win for Chelsea here.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Europa Conference League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, player ratings, and a new super-intuitive knockout stage bracket. Download the free app here.

May

2025

Preview: Arctic adventurers Bodø/Glimt head to the Tottenham Hotspur stadium

Spurs’ season has become car crash, but can they continue their attempts to rescue something from it in the Europa League against Bodø/Glimt?

By Ian King

Form

Are we talking about Europe or domestically, here? Because Spurs have been the Jekyll and Hyde of the Premier League recently, losing their last three in a row while conceding eleven goals, but also putting in two of their most accomplished performances of the season in their quarter-final win against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Bodø/Glimt run to a different schedule. Because Norway has a summer league they’ve only just started their domestic season. The two-time defending Eliteserien champions are currently second with three wins and a draw from their opening four matches.

History makers

This is the first time that a Norwegian club has ever reached the semi-finals of a European competition, but Bodø/Glimt’s record against English clubs is pretty bad. They played Arsenal in 2022/23 and lost twice, and played Manchester United in the League Phase of this year’s tournament, losing 3-2 at Old Trafford.

Spurs have a 100% record against Norwegian clubs in Europe. In 1972/73 they beat Lyn 12-3 on aggregate, and they beat Tromsø 3-0 and 2-0 in the group stage of the 2013/14 Europa League.

Key Players

High points have been thin on the ground for Spurs this season, but the form of Dejan Kulusevski remains among them. He remains one of the keys to unlocking any opposing defence and has eight goals and six assists in all competitions this season. Glimt’s main goal threat is striker Kasper Høgh, who’s the joint-top goalscorer in this competition with seven and has started their League season with four in four appearances.

Team News

Spurs made eight changes for their shellacking at Anfield on Sunday, and most will be returning. Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero should return to central defence, replacing Ben Davies and Kevin Danso, while Rodrigo Bentancur will return to midfield. But Heung-min Son remains doubtful after having missed the last four matches and will sit this one out, with a return in the second leg looking more likely. They will be without Radu Drăgușin, while Antonin Kinsky and Timo Werner are not registered for the knockout stages of this competition.

Bodø/Glimt have Andreas Helmersen, captain Patrick Berg and Håkon Evjen suspended, while defender Odin Bjørtuft and winger Ole Blomberg were injured last weekend and may be missing.

Prediction

The result of this match will come down to whether Spurs bring their European or Premier League form into it. If they play as they have in recent League matches, then a surprise could be on the cards, but if they can replicate what they achieved in Frankfurt a couple of weeks ago a win should be expected. Bodø/Glimt have had an outstanding run to get this far in this competition and have it in them to keep themselves in the tie for the return match. 2-1 Spurs, so all to play for in the second leg.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Europa League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, player ratings, and a new super-intuitive knockout stage bracket. Download the free app here.

May

2025

Preview: Athletic Club welcome Manchester United to the Basque Country

Athletic Club are targeting a Europa League final in their own stadium while Manchester United are looking to salvage their season.

By Graham Ruthven

Home comforts

If all goes to plan for Athletic Club, they will have one more home match in this season’s Europa League. With the final at San Mamés, the Basque outfit are determined to win a continental trophy for the first time in their 126-year history.

Ernesto Valverde’s side have won all six of their Europa League matches at home this season, overcoming AZ Alkmaar, Sparta Prague, Elfsborg, Viktoria Plzeň, Roma and Rangers on their way to the final four.

Manchester United more than earned their place in the Europa League semi-finals by staging a remarkable comeback against Lyon in the last round, scoring three goals in the final seven minutes of extra time.

With the Old Trafford club suffering their worst-ever Premier League campaign, Ruben Amorim and his players have pinned everything on winning the Europa League. This is their only route to redemption.

Key players

Nico Williams has peaked at the right time of the season, scoring in each of his last two starting appearances for Athletic Club including in the Europa League quarter-final win over Rangers.

Iñaki Williams will also pose a threat with the two brothers expected to line up on either side of the Athletic Club forward line. They could expose the space in behind the Manchester United backline.

Oihan Sancet has been exceptional for the Basques this season, scoring 17 goals in all competitions, but the attacking midfielder will be sidelined for the first leg through injury. Unai Gómez is in line to start in his place.

Bruno Fernandes will be the player Manchester United look to for some magic on Thursday night. For all that the Reds Devils have floundered badly this season, the Portuguese remains a reliable difference-maker, scoring 17 goals in all competitions.

Rasmus Højlund will lead the line for the visitors to San Mamés and might have more confidence after scoring a late equaliser in the 1-1 draw against Bournemouth. The Dane needs to show greater cutting edge on a more consistent basis.

Luke Shaw could be in line to feature after starting his first game of the season at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday with Leny Yoro and Harry Maguire likely to make up the rest of the back three.

Meanwhile, there will be a spotlight on André Onana after the Cameroonian goalkeeper’s mistakes against Lyon. Manchester United need him to be stronger in the semi-final.

Team news

Sancet is sidelined for Athletic Club, leaving a sizeable hope in the number 10 position. Besides the 25-year-old, however, Valverde has a fully fit and available squad.

Manchester United, on the other hand, have a long injury list. Indeed, Amorim will be without as many as five starting players with Lisandro Martínez, Amad Diallo, Joshua Zirkzee, Diogo Dalot and Ayden Heaven missing.

Matthijs de Ligt is also an injury doubt for the trip to the Basque Country while Chido Obi will play no part in the match.

Prediction

Form and that famous football notion of romance dictates a home win for Athletic Club to continue their fairytale run to the final. But with United’s season depending on this two legged tie, perhaps tonight’s result with leave things open for next week’s return game at Old Trafford: Athletic Club 2-1 Manchester United.

(Cover image from IMAGO)