Rangers v RB Leipzig predictions: Visitors can come through tough test at Ibrox

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Rangers v RB Leipzig in Thursday's Europa League semi-final second leg.

Where to watch

BT Sport 2, 8pm Thursday

Best bet

RB Leipzig
2pts 21-20 Coral, Ladbrokes

Team news

Rangers
Kemar Roofe and Aaron Ramsey could return to the squad but Alfredo Morelos, Filip Helander and Ianis Hagi are still sidelined.

RB Leipzig
Defender Josko Gvardiol is a doubt after coming off injured at the weekend but Willi Orban, Mohamed Simakan and Kevin Kampl return having missed the first leg due to suspension.

Match preview

Rangers' resistance was broken by a stunning strike from Angelino in the 85th minute of their Europa League semi-final first leg in Leipzig and the Gers are 4-1 to overturn that 1-0 deficit at Ibrox.

It looked like being a frustrating night for Leipzig until a sweetly-struck volley from their Spanish left-back gave them a slender but significant advantage to take to Glasgow.

The Bundesliga side had 70 per cent of possession in the first leg and restricted Rangers to just one shot on target but the Gers will have to be more proactive if they are to defy the odds and reach the Europa League final.

That dynamic should suit a Leipzig side who have produced some stunning away performances recently and have the quality to take advantage when Rangers are forced to come out of their shells.

Leipzig boss Domenico Tedesco made five changes for their 3-1 league defeat at Borussia Monchengladbach and that result ended a run of eight straight away wins in all competitions.

Even more impressive is the fact that Leipzig's hot streak on the road included a 4-1 win at Borussia Dortmund and 6-1 drubbings over Hertha Berlin and Greuther Furth as well as Europa League victories at Real Sociedad and Atalanta.

And before the weekend loss to Gladbach, Leipzig's only away defeat in 2022 had come against Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, who needed an own goal from Josko Gvardiol to claim a hard-fought 3-2 victory at the start of February.

Leipzig's scoring record away from home is a major concern for Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst who, unlike Tedesco, was unable to shuffle his pack at the weekend.

The Gers were held to a 1-1 draw at Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic, who are six points clear of the defending champions with just three games remaining, and they are still missing injured stars Ianis Hagi, Alfredo Morelos and Filip Helander.

Kemar Roofe and Aaron Ramsey could return from injury but Leipzig's squad is packed with attacking talent and they welcome back three first-team regulars who were suspended for the first leg.

The Germans drew at home with Real Sociedad and Atalanta in the last two rounds before winning the away legs handsomely and they are worth backing to progress in style at Ibrox.

They scored 15 goals in six Champions League group games, including a 2-2 draw with Paris St-Germain and a 2-1 win over Manchester City on matchday six, and their attacking firepower should be enough to end Rangers' excellent European run.

Key stat

Leipzig have won eight of their last nine away matches in all competitions.

Inside info

Rangers

Penalty taker James Tavernier
Free-kick wizard James Tavernier
Set-piece aerial threat Connor Goldson
Card magnet James Tavernier

RB Leipzig

Penalty taker Christopher Nkunku/Emil Forsberg
Free-kick wizard Christopher Nkunku
Set-piece aerial threat Willi Orban
Card magnet Tyler Adams

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