Football Results

After the Champions League the Europa League will play its first matches of the knockout phase on Thursday and definitely one of more interesting ones is this one between reigning champion of Russia, Sparetak Moscow, and Spanish Athletic Bilbao. Let’s add that this is going the be their first head-to-head ever, which comes for Spartak in time of winter break, while on the other hand the Basques are not doing well in La Liga recently.

Spartak Moscow

In fact, this is the first official match in 2018 for reigning champions of Russia given that the Russian Premier League played its last round in mid-December last year, when Spartak won at home its great city rival CSKA by 3-0. That was fifth consecutive victory for Spartak in the league, which at the same time propelled it at the third place in table, although Spartak has the same number of points as 2nd-placed Zenit but even eight fewer than leading Lokomotiv.

Regarding its European matches, being Russian champion Spartak directly qualified for the group phase of Champions League. After three rounds the situation was good but in the finish Spartak won just one point from three matches and had to content with the third place and continuation of competing in the Europa League. Let’s add that Spartak brought in the winter transfer window stopper Maksimovic and midfielder Hanni, while currently out of action due to injuries are defenders Jikia and Tigiev, and midfielder Ananidze.

Probable lineups Spartak Moscow: Selikhov – Eshchenko, Tasci, Kutepov, Kombarov – Fernando, Pasalic – Samedov, Glushakov, Promes – Luiz Adriano

Athletic Bilbao

Unlike their next opponents the guests from Basque country fully ready for competitive matches although they mostly draw lately. In fact, Athletic won the last time at the beginning of this year in Spanish championship where it defeated Alaves at home. However, we have to say that Athletic lost just one match out of last 11, which happened two rounds ago in the league when it lost to Girona away, but still it occupies mere 13th place in La Liga table.

True, they have even 10 points more than teams in the drop zone, meaning they can be relax in continuation of competition in the Europa League, where they finished the group phase as the first placed team in the group. Let’s add that manager Ziganda has announced that will make number of changes in the starting line-up compared to latest league matches. He also cannot count on injured defender Balenziago and winger Munian, while new stopper Inigo Martinez cannot play in the Europa League this season as he has already played in it for Real Socieded.

Probable lineups Athletic Bilbao: Herrerin – Lekue, Etxeita, Nunez, Saborit – San Jose, Benat – Williams, Garcia, Cordoba – Aduriz

Verdict:

Regardless of fact that Spartak didn’t play a competitive match in last two months, we nevertheless expect from reigning champions of Russia to make good result at their stadium on Thursday evening, especially as the guests from Basque country are not in particularly good shape lately.

Pick:  Asian handicap -0.25 Spartak Moscow 2.14 - 114/100 @1XBet