Rangers vs Tottenham prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-12-11 20:00.
[p]Many Rangers players will be familiar with Tottenham’s ex-Celtic head coach Ange Postecoglou following two recent seasons of Old Firm history, adding further intrigue to what already shapes up as a fascinating UEFA Europa League (UEL) matchup. Only goal difference separates these two top-ten sides with three rounds to go, almost guaranteeing that the winner will occupy one of the eight automatic qualification spots after matchweek six. [/p]
[p]Rangers have punched well above their weight in this competition, already taking seven of a possible nine points as pre-match outsiders (W2, D1), albeit all away from home. The 4-1 demolition of Nice last round kickstarted a four-game winning streak across all competitions that prompted manager Phillippe Clement to declare that Rangers are “in a really good place” ahead of their seventh competitive meeting with Premier League opposition this century (D1, L5). [/p]
[p]An in-form opponent is the last thing that Spurs need considering their current woes. Another London derby loss at the weekend (4-3 at home to Chelsea) made it four consecutive games without victory (D2, L2) for the third time of Postecoglou’s reign, so there’s little wonder that supporters are losing patience with the Australian since his bold assertion that he wins silverware wherever he goes. [/p]
[p]The UEL is one competition that hasn’t yet been particularly tainted by their slump, though they did lose their most recent away trip after being unable to recover from a 3-1 half-time deficit away to Galatasaray (L 3-2). Tottenham will be hoping that Postecoglou can convert his Old Firm experience and positive managerial record against Rangers (W6, D2, L3) to maintain their unbeaten competitive history against Scottish clubs (W4, D2) and propel them into the top-eight. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Hamza Igamane became Rangers’ joint-leading scorer of this league phase with his brace against Nice, which was followed up with goals in each of his last two domestic league appearances, while Son Heung-min opened the scoring in Spurs’ last UEL game and was also on the scoresheet against Chelsea. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Rangers conceded in ten of their last 12 UEFA matches. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Aaron Murphy[/i][/p]