Rangers (Sco) vs Servette (Sui) prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – Qualification betting tips on match 2023-08-08 18:45.
It may only be early August, but Rangers manager Michael Beale is already under huge pressure after a “worst possible start” to the domestic season. The Ibrox club suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Kilmarnock in their opening league game at the weekend, adding extra importance to their UEFA Champions League (UCL) third round qualifying tie.
The Gers are looking to repeat their European success of last season, when they reached the UCL group stages for the first time since 2010/11. However, six successive defeats meant they miserably crashed out before the knockout stages, a run that Beale will be hoping that summer signings, such as Danilo and Cyriel Dessers, who arrived from Feyenoord and Cremonese respectively, can help put an end to.
Standing in Rangers’ way are Servette, who are potentially two rounds away from their debut in the UCL group stages. The Swiss side, who drew 1-1 with FC Stade-Lausanne-Ouchy in the league at the weekend, have already made history this year though, dramatically beating Genk on penalties in the last qualifying round to secure a consolation prize of a place in the UEFA Europa League group stages for the first time ever if this tie goes against them.
Manager René Weiler believes his side “caused an explosion” with that result, but admits Rangers are another “big hurdle.” The Maroons’ away record in the European Cup doesn’t inspire much confidence either, given they have not won on the road in the competition since defeating Feyenoord in 1962/63 (D3, L4).
Players to watch: Rangers may be hoping Dessers can rekindle his European form of two seasons ago, given he netted 11 goals in 15 games (W8, D4, L3). Looking to outscore him might be Servette striker Chris Bedia, who is unbeaten in the last 17 games in which he has netted (W9, D8), a run which includes bagging the opening goal on ten occasions.
Hot streak: Rangers’ last six UCL home matches have all contained at least three goals (W1, D1, L4).