Premier League 
/ Jamie "The Pacman" Pacheco / 08 March 2012 / Leave a Comment 
Chris Smalling was subbed after aggravating a head wound but it was United who were delivered the body blows
"The final scoreline was backed at 140.0 and Bilbao go into the second leg as hot favourites to qualify given United will have to win by two clear goals or replicate a 3-2 away win to take them through to extra time."
Both Manchesters lost in the Europa League tonight but whereas City are still favourites to progress despite their 1-0 loss in Lisbon, United have it all to do after a 3-2 defeat at home to Athletic Bilbao.
Athletic Bilbao were matched at [28.0] on Betfair after going a goal down to Manchester United at Old Trafford. Wayne Rooney opened the scoring after Javier Hernandez's shot inside the box was parried into his path by Bilbao keeper Gorka Iraizoz when it had been the Spanish outfit who had dominated the early exchanges. But Fernando Llorente, certain to be an important part of Spain's squad at Euro 2012 this summer headed them level after Phil Jones left him unmarked in the box. Oscar De Marcos put Bilbao ahead in the second half even though there was a hint of off-side and Iker Muniain added a third after reacting quicker than Rafael to a shot saved by David de Gea. Despite conceding three, United's goalkeeper was probably United's best player on the night, such was Bilbao's dominance and so high was the number of clear-cut chances they created.
But United were dealt a lifeline in injury-time when De Marcos handled in the box and Rooney scored his second of the night from the spot. He was matched at 6.6 to get two or more goals. The final scoreline was backed at [140.0] and Bilbao go into the second leg as hot favourites to qualify given United will have to win by two clear goals or replicate a 3-2 away win to take them through to extra time. United are [5.2] to qualify and out to [13.0] to win the Europa League, having been backed at a low of [3.7] on the same market. Bilbao are [7.4] to win this year's edition.
The tournament favourites are still Manchester City at [4.3]. They also lost tonight, 1-0 at the hands of Sporting Lisbon, but their task is far easier by virtue of the fact the return leg is at home and that the Portuguese outfit don't look nearly as impressive as the La Liga side. City lost their skipper Vincent Kompany early on to injury and never really recovered from the blow. Their football was predictable and in the absences of Yaya Toure (suspended) and Mario Balotelli (on as a late substitute) they never really got going. Sporting were matched at [6.0] to win the game and [17.0] to win 1-0 but City remain favourites to progress at [1.6].
Elsewhere, Valencia (matched at 1.78) are in a commanding position after beating PSV 4-2 at home, Atletico Madrid (1.42) got the better of Besiktas by 3-1 and Steve McClaren's Twente beat Schalke 1-0.
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