Rapid Vienna v Rangers
Thursday 13th December 1755hrs
Football – Europe – Europa League
Pick: Draw
Bookmaker: Marathon Bet
Odds: 13/5 (odds taken Wednesday 12 December, 19.52)
As well as deciding the Champions League knockout stages this week, the Europa League qualifiers will also be decided. Group G is one of the tightest of the lot with all four teams able to make it into the last 32 and just two points separating all the participants in the section. Rapid know a draw will see them make it through whilst only a win will for their visitors. Continue reading for a match preview of Rapid Vienna against Rangers with a selected best betting tip.
Rapid Vienna
It’s been an up and down campaign for Rapid Vienna, both domestically and in Europe. The club replaced their manager ahead of the first meeting against Rangers back in October with Didi Kuhbauer taking over. He’s not had the best of starts himself with Rapid continuing to struggle to gain any real consistency. They sit in eight place in the Austrian Premier division, a full 25 points off leaders Red Bull Salzburg. It’s looking more and more likely that they’ll struggle to qualify for European football next season so the aim is to prolong this year’s participation for as long as possible. A 2-1 win away to Spartak Moscow on matchday five was a major result in allowing them to do that, and the last minute winner means the now just need a draw to progress. It was just their second win of the campaign with their other three matches including two defeats, including a 3-1 reverse when they visited Ibrox. A repeat of their goalless draw with Villareal in their last home game would be sufficient to see them through but we know how perilous it can be for teams who set out for a point – especially at home.
Rangers
Thursday’s match with Rapid Vienna represents Rangers’ 16th game in Europe already this season and they’ll be very much hoping they’ll have a couple more at least to look forward to in the new year. The fact that Steven Gerrard’s men are in with a chance of making into the knockout phase having started in the very first round of qualifying is a great achievement in itself, but there has been plenty that have fallen in their favour to facilitate that – not least that all three clubs in this group have replaced their manager during the Europa League campaign. Rangers, to their credit, have shown great resilience at times, including in their last game where they were able to hold out for a point at home to Villareal despite having been reduced to 10 men shortly before half time. A defeat or a draw in that games was not all that important as either result meant they would have to win this game in the Austrian capital and it could be a positive in that they know exactly what do to ensure progression. Gerrard will be without a couple of key attacking players for Thursday’s game but he will be able to call upon Alfredo Morelos who has been suspended in domestic football.
Rapid Vienna v Rangers Betting Advice
Rangers were very convincing in their 3-1 win at home to Rapid Vienna but Gerrard will be expecting a much sterner test in the away game. Their opponents had just sacked their manager the week of that game and although Rapid’s form has not been great overall, they’ve been able to pull out some big performances when it mattered – especially in Europe. Rangers now need to do something that has eluded them in the group stage so far and that’s get an away win. They have, however, been free scoring on their travels netting five goals in away games against Spartak and Villareal, with their defence clearly an issue. For the hosts, they’re unbeaten at home in their two group matches and have yet to concede. If that remains the case come full time tomorrow then it will be the Austrians looking forward to the last 32 draw and Rangers’ European adventure for this season will come to an end.
Rangers recent form domestically is a worry and they tend to struggle against teams who are well organised and disciplined defensively. Rapid appear to have those qualities when playing at home and have kept five clean sheets in their last seven. It’s often difficult to hold out for a draw in these sort of situations but I’m backing that to be the outcome this time around.
