Malmo FF vs Rangers prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-09-25 16:45.
[p]As the UEFA Europa League (UEL) main draw finally gets underway, this will already be Malmö’s seventh game in European competition this season (W2, D1, L3). The Swedish champions, who were dumped out of Champions League qualification by Sparta Prague, have strung together a four-match unbeaten run without conceding a single goal since that disappointment (W2, D2), helping them establish a commanding 11-point lead at the top of the Allsvenskan.[/p]
[p]A 4-0 thrashing of Häcken at the weekend should have the Sky Blue confident ahead of this next outing against Rangers, an opponent they’ve avoided defeat against in all four prior H2Hs (W3, D1). Just two defeats from their last 17 home matches (W13, D2) also suggests that Malmö are well placed for victory again here, though there may be some demons to banish after their last appearance in the UEL saw them lose all six group matches![/p]
[p]Ranges reached the knockout stages of this competition last season, but repeating that act will require Philippe Clement’s side to overcome a disappointing start to the campaign. After elimination from Champions League qualification by Dynamo Kyiv, the Scottish side were routed 3-0 by arch-rivals Celtic, whom they now trail by five points in their domestic title race.[/p]
[p]Their progress is being undermined by a poor run of away form that’s seen them win just one of their last six road games (D3, L2). That return doesn’t get much better in Europe where their last seven such matches have yielded only one victory (D2, L4), but Rangers fans will still dare to dream with memories of their run to the final in 2022 no doubt fresh in their minds. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Malmö’s Anders Christiansen has seen three of his last four league goals arrive before half-time, yet his two European strikes this term came in the 59th and 99th minutes. Rangers will turn to captain James Tavernier for inspiration as his 11 European goals for the club is a total only bettered by three players in the club’s history.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Rangers are yet to win any of their six meetings with Swedish opposition, the most they’ve faced sides from any one country without victory.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Ryan Fisher[/i][/p]