Verdict: Cyriel Dessers over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 5/6
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Looking to finish off the job and collect a heavyweight Europa League scalp on Thursday night, Rangers will welcome Fenerbahce to Glasgow.
Rangers
Starting with the hosts, while Rangers might be enduring what has been a public domestic struggle this season, the Scottish giants sprung a famous European upset on foreign soil last week. Putting in what was a sensational performance outside of Glasgow as they stormed their way to a 3-1 romp in Turkey, interim boss Barry Ferguson will be calling on a repeat display here. However, getting March underway with a 2-1 defeat at home against Motherwell, the Blues have gained an unwanted reputation for their struggles at Ibrox. Suffering an infamous Scottish Cup exit at the hands of second-tier outfit Queen’s Park, Rangers have remarkably lost all of their last three consecutive showdowns in Glasgow by an aggregate score of 5-1. In fact, this is the first time that Ferguson’s temporary squad have suffered three straight home defeats since way back in March 2012.
Rangers Team News
Forced off in the first-half last week after a nasty collision with Jack Butland, Rangers are sweating over the fitness of Dutch defender Robin Propper. Likewise, not making a single appearance since returning from November’s international break, Feyenoord loanee Neraysho Kasanwirjo will not feature here.
Bagging a first-leg strike in Istanbul last week and now notching four goals in his previous three appearances across all competitions, attacking talisman Cyriel Dessers will play a leading role in the final third. Playing the full 90 minutes over in Turkey, Scotland international John Souttar will start at the back.
Fenerbahce
As for the visitors, while Fenerbahce might have turned a much-welcomed corner after returning from Turkey’s festive break, Jose Mourinho’s men came crashing back down to earth last week. Putting in a nightmare performance in Istanbul as they slumped to that 3-1 defeat, the Yellow Canaries watched their 18-match unbeaten run across all competitions come to an abrupt end. With a real mountain to climb on Thursday night, the former Manchester United boss should take some solace from his squads recent success on the road. Last seen away from the Surku Saracoglu Stadium collecting a 4-1 victory against Gaziantep, Fenerbahce have not suffered a single defeat on their travels since the start of December. Currently sat seven points adrift of arch-rivals Galatasaray in the race for this season’s Super Lig crown, Mourinho’s men have a huge amount of pressure on their shoulders here.
Fenerbahce Team News
Limping off after just 16 minutes last week, Fenerbahce are expected to be without former Leicester City defender Caglar Soyuncu on Thursday night. Likewise, enduring what has been a real injury crisis since arriving from Aston Villa last month, Diego Carlos remains on the sidelines.
However, after serving a one-match suspension in Istanbul last week, ex-Manchester United midfielder Fred will return to Mourinho’s travelling squad here. Notching six goals in his 11 Europa League appearances this season, Youssef En Nesyri will spearhead Fenerbahce’s charge.
Rangers vs Fenerbahce Key Factors to Consider
- When Rangers and Fenerbahce met for their first-leg showdown over in Istanbul last week, the Scottish heavyweights collected a famous 3-1 victory.
- However, Rangers have lost each of their previous three consecutive appearances at Ibrox by an aggregate score of 5-1.
- This is the first time since March 2012 that Rangers have suffered three consecutive defeats on home soil.
- Fenerbahce have not suffered a single defeat outside of Istanbul since the start of December.
- Six of Fenerbahce’s last seven appearances across all competitions have finished with over 2.5 goals.
Conclusion
Storming their way to a stunning 3-1 romp away in Istanbul last week, Rangers are now just 90 minutes away from collecting a famous Europa League scalp. However, despite holding a real advantage on Thursday night, Ferguson’s temporary squad are enduring a public crisis on home soil. Losing all of their previous three consecutive showdowns at Ibrox by an aggregate score of 5-1, Rangers are enduring their longest rut in Glasgow since way back in March 2012. With Fenerbahce gaining a reputation for their lively outcomes, neutrals will be hoping for another European thriller in midweek.
Verdict: Cyriel Dessers over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 5/6
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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