Bayer Leverkusen vs Rangers Predictions

• Rangers have scored in each of their last four trips in the Europa League
• Bayer Leverkusen have seen both teams score in six of their last seven Europa League games
• The hosts have won and conceded in each of their last three European matches

Tall order for Gers

Back in March, Bayer Leverkusen won 3-1 at Ibrox to take a commanding lead in this tie. Five months on, the two finally clash in Germany with Rangers looking to overturn that deficit and their poor record in the country.

Rangers have won just one of their last 19 away matches against German opposition in major European competition (D8 L10), a 2-1 victory at Leverkusen in October 1998. We expect that to continue, as our predictions back the Bundesliga side to secure their place in the last eight.

Do visitors have the fitness edge?

While Bayer Leverkusen have played the rest of their Bundesliga campaign since their win at Ibrox, it’s arguably Rangers who are in the best shape for this clash. Leverkusen finished their season with the Germany Cup final on the 4th of July. That’s over a month without a competitive game.

Meanwhile, the Gers have been able to build up with a preseason before kicking off their Scottish Premiership campaign at the weekend. They scored 10 times across four friendlies this summer, so they should be confident of continuing their Europa League scoring streak.

The visitors have found the net in each of their last four Europa League away trips, spanning trips to Young Boys, Porto and Feyenoord in the group stage and their last 16 win at Braga.

Another summer boost for the Gers is the presence of Alfredo Morelos, who has been involved in seven of Rangers’ 13 Europa League goals this campaign (6 goals, 1 assist).

Bayer to do enough

Bayer Leverkusen will be aiming to reach the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup/Europa League for the first time since 2007-08. The German side have lost just two of their 18 two-legged knockout ties in major European competition having won the first leg, so this tie shouldn’t be a problem for them.

However, they have seen both teams score in six of their last seven matches in this competition. Given that the visitors have proven themselves a threat on the road, while Rangers arguably have a slight edge over their opponents, we’re backing both teams to score in this one.

Meanwhile, we’re going with a 2-1 home win as our correct score pick. The hosts have won and conceded in each of their last three games in this competition, while their class should eventually tell over the course of the 90 minutes.