RB Leipzig vs Rangers Predictions

• Rangers have managed just one win in seven away games in Europe and have lost their last two.
• Leipzig have lost just one of their last 12 home games, winning seven.
• Over 2.5 goals has been a winning bet in six of Leipzig’s last eight at home.
• There have been at least three goals scored in eight of Rangers’ last 10 overall.

Tough task for depleted Rangers

Rangers have claimed some big scalps on their way to the Europa League semi-finals and they face another massive test on Thursday as they travel to RB Leipzig for the first leg of their last four clash.

The visitors remain without key forward Alfredo Morelos due to a thigh injury that will see him miss the rest of the season, fellow attacker Kemar Roofe is also absent for the first leg, although he may be available for the return fixture, and Aaron Ramsey is expected to miss out.

Leipzig also have a few selection issues as Kevin Kampl, Willi Orban and Mohamed Simakan are all suspended.

Home leg holds the key for Rangers

Leipzig are the heavy favourites to win this first leg encounter and that shouldn’t be a huge surprise. Rangers have been in good form away but they have struggled on their European trips, managing just one win in seven attempts this season – including qualifying – and they have lost their last two.

The Scottish side’s aim will be to make sure they are still in the tie going into the second leg at Ibrox, and I am expecting a home win but at such a short price it doesn’t particularly appeal as our main bet.

A home win with over 2.5 goals does look one option as there have been at least three goals scored in six of Leipzig’s last nine home games, while over 2.5 goals has been a winning bet in eight of Rangers’ last 10 games overall.

Advantage Leipzig but not game over

Rangers may be without Roofe and Morelos but they still have goals in the team and they may well be able to get on the scoresheet at the Red Bull Arena. Leipzig have only managed two clean sheets in their last eight home games and they are missing defenders Orban and Simakan for this clash, while Rangers have only failed to score in two of their last 21 trips – at Braga and Celtic.

A 3-1 win for the hosts looks a reasonable option in the correct score market and such a result wouldn’t put the Scottish giants out of contention. Leipzig do have the quality to really put teams to the sword but they’ve only scored more than three goals in one of their European encounters this term (a 5-0 thrashing of Club Brugge in the Champions League).

Christopher Nkunku is always a good option as an anytime goalscorer bet whenever Leipzig play and the Frenchman has been particularly deadly in Europe, hitting 10 goals in as many games across both competitions the German side have been involved in.

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

Rangers predicted lineup: McGregor, Tavernier, Goldson, Balogun, Bassey; Kamara, Lundstram, Jack, Aribo, Sakala, Kent