UEFA Europa League: Lokomotiv Moscow v Athletic Bilbao Odds and Betting Preview

Athletic Bilbao travel to Moscow on Thursday night in the last 32 of the Europa League for what looks set to be a very even game against Lokomotiv Moscow. The visitors are slight favourites for the game, at 13/8 with Ladbrokes (bet £8 to win £13 profit), with the hosts available at odds of 9/5 with BetVictor. The draw is 23/10 with Bet 365 and Coral.

The Russian Premier League is currently on its annual winter break, so Lokomotiv may not be a their sharpest, but the break could come as more of a help than a hindrance after a poor run of form in the weeks preceding it. Bilbao, meanwhile, go into the game on the back of an excellent series of results in recent months. They have lost just twice since the 17th of December, with one of those defeats coming at the hands of runaway league leaders Real Madrid. The other, though, came just last week, and Bilbao will hope to use Thursday's game to return to winning ways as soon as possible.

Although the visitors are undoubtedly the stronger side, home advantage counts for much in European competition, and a 1-1 draw is the favourite score for the game at 11/2 with BetVictor. Next in the betting is 1-0 to Bilbao, at 7/1 with Coral, while the same score in favour of the hosts is 15/2 with Stan James, who also offer 9/1 on a 0-0 draw, in the event of which Bet 365 will refund losing HT/FT, correct score and scorecast bets. Bilbao are 12/1 with Coral to come away with a decisive 2-0 win, while Lokomotiv are 14/1 with the same firm to win by the same score.

Fernando Llorente has a terrifying return of eight goals in his last five matches and the towering striker is 11/2 favourite to open the scoring on Thursday with BetVictor, while Felipe Caicedo, the hosts's best chance of breaking the deadlock, is 6/1 with Bet 365. The same firm offer 7/1 on Dmitriy Sychev, while Victor Obinna and Senijad Ibricic can both be backed at odds of 8/1 with Ladbrokes.

In the half-time/full-time market, both teams are 4/1 with Ladbrokes to lead at both the interval and the finals whistle, with Boylesports offering the same price that both halves are drawn. Draw/Bilbao is 5/1 with Coral, while draw/Moscow can be backed at 11/2, also with Coral.

Manchester City are favourites for the Europa League this season, at 9/2 with Paddy Power and Ladbrokes, but Bilbao are given a decent outside shot at 20/1 with BetVictor and Betfred. Their opponents tonight, however, are given little hope, available at 100/1 with Bet 365.

The game kicks off at 17.00 GMT.

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