Live on ESPN: Thu 20.05: Rangers beat Sporting Lisbon on the way to the Europa Cup Final and will fancy their chances of doing so again.
Walter Smith’s side aren’t favourites to qualify (5/4, Stan James) but the Portuguese are out of form and seemingly morale is low so the Scots could take advantage. Last season the Ibrox side were in awful in Europe but suffered just two defeats in six Champions League group clashes this time around.
They pushed Man United all the way twice and Wayne Rooney’s late penalty handed them their only home defeat. Nikica Jelavic will be a big miss for Smith and Steven Naismith is a doubt so he may have to revert to type and try to qualify the old way.
On their way to the Europa final in 2008 Gers drew 0-0 at Ibrox and won 2-0 in the return leg. William Hill offer 6/1 for a repeat blank scoreline and go 16/1 it’s 0-0 and Rangers progress. Three times the Ibrox crowd witnessed 0-0’s during that run and Hills offer 10/1 on Rangers drawing tonight and still qualifying.
Coral are biggest on a draw at 23/10 while Rangers are 6/4 with Ladbrokes and Betfred with Sporting 2/1 at Paddy Power and . To qualify for the last 16, Gers are 5/4 at Stan James with Sporting 4/6 at bet365.
In Jelavic’s absence, Smith could turn to David Healy who was a scoring sub against Motherwell on Saturday. He is 13/2 (Boylesports) to score while Porto dangerman Helder Postiga is 10/1 at bet365.
Steven Whittaker scored the last time the sides met and the penalty taker is a massive 7/1 with Paddy Power to net at any time. And he’s 18/1 with the Irish firm to bag the opener.
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