Rangers vs RB Leipzig Predictions

• Both teams have scored in four of Rangers’ last five games.
• Rangers have scored in each of their last 23 home games, Leipzig have scored in their last 13 away.
• Rangers have scored at least twice in all of their home Europa League games since losing 3-0 to Lyon in their first group game at Ibrox.
• James Tavernier has six goals in 13 Europa League games.

Rangers will sense upset chance

Rangers went into their Europa League semi-final tie with RB Leipzig as big underdogs but they will feel they have a real chance of booking a spot in the final.

Leipzig claimed a narrow 1-0 win in the first leg, and with home advantage in this meeting the Glasgow giants are still very much in this tie.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see Rangers turn this semi-final around and the big price on a home win does appeal, but I’m going to opt for a more cautious approach for the main bet and back both teams to score.

Both sides capable of scoring

Rangers have scored in each of their last 23 home games and haven’t drawn a blank since a 3-0 loss to Lyon in the group stages of this competition in September.

Since then, the Gers have hosted Sparta Prague, Brondby, Dortmund, Crvena Zvezda and Braga in Europe and have scored at least twice against all of those teams at Ibrox.

Rangers have only managed two clean sheets in their last six at home though, and Leipzig have scored in each of their last 13 away games so we should see goals at both ends on Thursday.

Home advantage huge for Rangers

Leipzig are used to visiting huge venues, but European nights really do bring out the best in the Ibrox crowd and this is reflected in Rangers’ exceptional home record in Europe. Admittedly, the absence of injured forward Alfredo Morelos is a concern but Kemar Roofe seems set to return and as a team Rangers are greater than the sum of their parts.

Rangers have lost just three of their last 25 home games in the Europa League and have won four of their last five, with one draw against BVB. Leipzig are exceptional travellers – winning eight of their last nine trips – and were arguably unlucky to drop out of the Champions League. However, I feel the momentum is with the hosts here and a small play on a 2-1 win for Rangers looks a reasonable correct score option, which would then drag the tie into extra time.

Finally, an anytime effort from Rangers skipper James Tavernier stands out in the goalscorer market. Tavernier has six goals in 13 games in this competition and will also be on spot kick duties.

RB Leipzig possible starting lineup: Gulacsi, Mukiele, Klostermann, Gvardiol, Henrichs, Laimer, Adams, Angelino, Olmo, Nkunku, Silva

Rangers possible starting lineup: McGregor; Tavernier, Goldson, Balogun, Bassey, Kamara, Lundstram, Jack, Aribo, Roofe, Kent