Rangers v Progres Niederkorn
Thursday 25th July 1945hrs
Football – Europe – Europa League Qualification
Pick Under 2.5 goals
Bookmaker Bet365
Odds: 11/10 (odds taken 11.00 GMT, Wednesday 24 July)
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/20 | 45/4 | 57/2 |
* (Betting Odds were taken from 22Bet on July 24, 2019 at 11.00)
Being drawn against Progres Niederkorn would have brought back some traumatic memories for Rangers supporters and they will be hoping to avoid any further embarrassment against this opponent, this time around.
Europa League Qualification Betting at Bet365
Rangers – Can Rangers gain revenge for humiliating defeat to minnows two years ago?
Defeat to Progres Niederkorn in Europa League qualification back in 2017 essentially summed up the reign of Pedro Caixinha. The Portuguese manager was sacked a few months later but it was the 2-1 aggregate defeat that essentially signaled the beginning of the end for him. It’s a completely different Rangers team that approaches tomorrow’s first leg. Steven Gerrard has stabilised the club in his first season in charge and they go into this tie in much better shape. Gerrard led the Ibrox club into the group stages of this competition last year and they will be looking to repeat that feat. St Joseph’s from Gibraltar proved to be no match in the previous round.
A 4-0 win away from home was followed by a 6-0 home victory for the most comfortable of progressions. Progres are undoubtedly a step up from that but this is another tie that should present few problems. Gerrard has been busy in the transfer market over the summer in a bid to strengthen his squad. Whilst Rangers achieved their objective in European football, they failed domestically. The challenge is to be competitive on all fronts and win silverware. The club showed their intent with the purchase of Swedish defender Filip Helander. The £3.5m signing represents Rangers’ most expensive signing since their liquidation in 2012.
Progres Niederkorn Preview – Will lightening strike twice and see Niederkorn, progress?
Defeating Rangers a couple of seasons ago remains Progres’ biggest win in their history. It was a tremendous achievement for the team from Luxembourg and they have shown they are capable at other times. There was further improvement shown last season again as they reached the third round. Progres were slightly unfortunate in that they lost out 4-3 to Russian outfit Ufa at that stage last year. Ironically, Ufa were then drawn to face Rangers in the playoff round with the Glasgow club qualifying.
This season’s first round opponents were Irish side Cork City. Having turned in a brilliant display to win 2-0 away from home it got a bit close for comfort in the home leg. Cork leveled the tie only for substitute Issa Bah to get the all important winner. For a team of their stature, to make it past the first round in each of the last three seasons is a success.
German manager Roland Vrabec has only been in charge since June of this year so it’s still very early in his charge. He brings good experience, though, having coached both Frankfurt and St Pauli before a spell as boss of Vaduz in Liechtenstein. This will undoubtedly be his biggest test to date for his new employers.
Key-Facts – Rangers v Progres Niederkorn
- Rangers were eliminated to Progres Niederkorn in 2017 in what goes down as one of their worst ever European results
- Steven Gerrard led Rangers into the group stages of the Europa League in his first season in charge and that’s ultimately the aim once again
- Whoever is victorious in this tie will face Danish club Midtjylland in the next round
Rangers v Progres Niederkorn Betting Advice
Although Rangers are very much fancied to ease past Progres this time, there are plenty of notes of caution for Gerrard’s men. That was the case two years ago and they fell flat on their face. More recently, the Luxembourg team showed they can be competitive with better teams when reaching the third round last year. Ufa are a good barometer and Rangers will be aware of that having also faced that opponent 12 months ago.
Gerrard will be expecting a tougher tie than what his team faced last time out against St Joseph’s. With the first leg at home the difficulty is trying to build a commanding lead without conceding. Rangers’ quality is expected to prove decisive but their opponents know how to set up away from home. Progres have not conceded more than two goals on their travels from their last seven European games. Under 2.5 goals is a speculative selection in this one.
