Maribor v Rangers Predictions & Betting Odds – 16th August 2018

Gers to contain Maribor threat

Europa League Betting

Maribor v Rangers Betting Preview – UEFA Europa League 16th August 7.15pm

Rangers are sitting pretty on their quest to try and make it through to the playoff round of the Europa League. Steven Gerrard’s charges banked a solid 3-1 home win in the first leg of their third qualifying round tussle against Slovenian side NK Maribor. But the visitors did manage to get that away goal which will leave a small window of opportunity open for them to try and mount a recovery.

Maribor News and Form

There was a decent performance by Maribor at Ibrox over the first 45 minutes of the first leg of this tie. They were decent value for the 1-1 half-time scoreline. So if they strike first back on home soil in the second leg, then this is going to get very interesting as it would heap pressure on Rangers. Maribor began their Europa League qualifying campaign this season in the first round where they took a 2-1 aggregate success over Partizani. They followed that up with a 2-0 aggregate win over Chikura in the following round of action. They are chasing a deficit so they have to pretty positive in the game and because of that we are looking at both teams to score at 5/6 odds* (Betting Odds were taken from August 13th, 2018 at 5:49 p.m.).

Maribor’s domestic season is just underway and they have four home games under their belt this term in all competitions. From those games, they have posted a strong W3 D1 record without having a goal against. But again we are going to lean towards them conceding because at some point they are going to have to come out of their shell and Rangers had them under pressure at Ibrox in the second half. In the bet365 correct score market a 1-1 draw which suits Rangers to a tee, of course, is at 5/1 odds* (Betting Odds were taken from August 13th, 2018 at 5:49 p.m.).

Rangers News and Form

Alfredo Morelos set Rangers on their way after just six minutes in the first leg and the had the ball in the back of the net again, which would have put the Gers 2-0 up but it was flagged for office. A minute later, Rangers had conceded through a stunning volley by Mitja Viler. The first half of the contest was even, built Rangers pushed on impressively in the second half of the contest to exert control and give themselves a huge boost in the tie. Morelos looked really good, really involved in the game and remains a decent option in the anytime goalscorer market for Maribor v Rangers betting. An away goal for the Gers would probably settle this tie completely and certainly settle any nerves from the visitors.

There were warning signs though in the first half of the contest when Molde really challenged Rangers and the two sides looked evenly matched. There was enough there for Rangers to be cautious in this second leg. Steven Gerrard has remained undefeated as Rangers boss then posting a W4 D3 record so far across all competitions. They recorded a good solid 2-0 home win over St Mirren on the weekend in the Scottish Premiership. They have however picked up a red card in two of their last three games though (although the first of those given to Morelos against Aberdeen was reversed). The Gers have posted a W1 D2 record out on the road this season so far, netting for themselves just the two goals and conceding just the one. Can they stick it out in this second leg under pressure?

Maribor v Rangers Head to Head

The first leg of this tie was the fifth game between Rangers and Maribor. The win for Rangers leaves them 3-1 ahead with the one draw match. On their two previous visits to Maribor, they collected a 3-0 win in 2001 and then suffered a 2-1 reverse on their last visit there which was in 2011.

Maribor v Rangers Betting Odds*

Maribor 5/4
Draw 11/5
Rangers 9/4
* (Betting Odds were taken from August 13th, 2018 at 5:49 p.m.)

Maribor v Rangers Predictions

It is going to be all about Rangers holding their composure and not getting panicked. Because of that, they can just take the sting out of the game and appealing in our Maribor v Rangers prediction is the draw in the match outright. It’s just a night of containment ahead for the Gers and they have been good defensively this season.