Rapid Vienna vs Athletic Bilbao Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

This game doesn’t have an awful lot riding on it with Athletic Bilbao already through and Rapid Vienna already out of the competition. The visitors would still like to win the group but they could win this game and still finish 2nd so it’s not something that will be a massive priority. As a result changes are likely from the Basques, who travel to Real Betis in La Liga on Sunday.

However, this game still has the potential to be a good one with goals looking likely. Athletic’s last 4 matches in all competitions have produced 16 goals with both teams scoring in all of them. They still managed a 3-1 win even without key attacking players Raul Garcia and Aritz Aduriz in La Liga at the weekend and some of their fringe players who impressed in that game should get another chance here.

Defensively though they haven’t been that convincing and particularly not in this competition. They’ve conceded twice or more in 4 of their 5 Europa League group games this season with their two away games so far both ending in defeat. They’ve been scoring plenty this term and have netted in all but one of their away league games, although 1 point from 4 matches on the road in La Liga and their away form in this competition suggests they aren’t that comfortable on their travels and Rapid should be able to make a really good game of this.

The Austrians will be disappointed with how their Europa League campaign has gone but 4 of their 5 points have come at home with both teams scoring in their two home European matches so far this term. Both teams have scored in 5 of their last 8 matches overall and they aren’t one of those sides that merely defends deep and puts plenty behind the ball when they come up against stronger opponents.

Therefore, we should see a pretty open contest here and backing both teams to score at 7/10 looks a solid punt.