Athletic Bilbao

Bilbao created a stir earlier in the competition when they comfortably disposed of Manchester United with home and away victories notched up against Sir Alex Ferguson’s men.

However, while many fancied them to go far in the tournament, the Basque side lost out to Manchester City’s conquerors Sporting in Lisbon last week so have their work cut out to reach next month’s final in Bucharest.

Coach Marcelo Bielsa’s Athletic Bilbao side have never won a European competition, but they will be confident of progression given that they have won every Europa League match on home soil this season, while they are the second most prolific side still in contention in the Europa League, with 25 goals to date.

They will be boosted by the news Javi Martinez is available after he missed the match at the Estadio de Alvalade through suspension, while Iker Muniain is expected to feature despite missing out against Racing Santander because of an eye inflammation.

The stats do not make good reading for Sporting as they have yet to win a European game on Spanish soil and have failed to win in any of their last 10 away matches.

But, Ricardo Sa Pinto’s men only require a draw so they could be tempted to try and frustrate Bilbao and keep the door shut at the back while seeing what they can get on the break.

Sporting, who defeated Bilbao 4-2 over two legs in their last European meeting in 1985-86, will be without the ineligible Elias, while Fito Rinaudo and Alberto Rodriguez are both injured.

But, Chilean Matias Fernandez, who has missed the club’s last two games, is ready to feature from the start.

We expect a close game, but with Athletic Bilbao only needing a 1-0 win to progress, they should have too much firepower for the Portuguese and ensure an all-Spanish final.

Prediction: Athletic Bilbao Home Win 90 Minutes @ 8/15
Value Bet: 4 Goals – Goals 10-band @ 9/2

Atletico Madrid, who won the Europa League in 2010, will feel they have one foot in the final following a handsome 4-2 first-leg victory last week.

However, Valencia’s two away goals will give them hope that they can pull the tie out of the fire at Estadio de Mestalla on Thursday.

Ricardo Costa’s late away goal could be the key for Los Che and they warmed up nicely for the match with a 4-0 thumping of Real Betis at the weekend, in which Real Madrid playmaker Sergio Canales made a welcome recovery from a serious ligament injury and could start against Atletico.

Roberto Soldado is set to retain his spot in attack, with Jonas supporting him in the final third.

Valencia won the Primera Division fixture 1-0 in September on home soil so will need to add another goal if they are going to progress to the final.

Atletico Madrid arrive in a good run of form which has seen them win three successive matches with the first-leg victory sandwiched between domestic successes against Espanyol and Rayo Vallecano respectively.

The omens are mixed for coach Diego Simeone, who has selected the same squad of 18 players that successfully defeated Espanyol at the weekend, as Atletico have never won a European tie away from home in Spain.

However, a defeat on Thursday could still see them through, while they also have the psychological boost of their two-legged victory over Valencia at the quarter-final stage on their way to winning the trophy two years ago.

Valencia’s home form is good in Europe and Atletico don’t travel well so we fancy a home win, but the two-goal cushion from the first leg could be just enough to get the visitors into the final.

Prediction: Valencia Home 90 Minutes @ 5/6
Value Bet: Valencia 2-1 Correct Score @ 7/1

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South Africa

Zuma said the tournament had sparked economic development and proved the developing continent was capable of managing a world event.

“I think we have proved that not only South Africa, but Africa is capable of hosting any major event,” Zuma told the FIFA website.

The government has spent about 40 billion rand ($5.17 billion) on infrastructure projects, and billions more on upgrading roads and airports.

It could now spur a bid for the first African Olympics, Zuma said.

“People are already talking about a possibility of bidding for major events and we are supporting this. The Olympics are an example, I don’t see why we can’t bid to host the Olympics in the future. It’s important for Africa,” he added.

International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge last week offered encouragement to Africa for an Olympic bid, strengthening the possibility of South Africa being a host.

Cape Town was the first African city to bid for the Olympics but was trounced in the vote for the 2004 Games that were awarded to Athens.

Durban, which markets itself as Africa’s sports capital, has expressed an interest in hosting a future Games and built its new World Cup stadium with enough space to add an athletics track.

When asked what legacy he wanted the World Cup to leave for South Africa’s children, Zuma told FIFA: “It has taken the economic development to a different level. One of the important things for Africa is education and programmes like 1Goal (FIFA’S education programme) are playing a vital role – that is legacy.

“This tournament has inspired Africans.”

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