Champions League third qualifying round, first leg predictions and odds: Rangers favourites to establish first leg lead

Where to watch

Rangers v Servette
BBC Scotland, 7.45pm Wednesday

Best bet

Marseille
1pt 10-11 Coral

Champions League third qualifying round, first leg predictions

Rangers suffered an early blow to their Scottish Premiership title ambitions, losing 1-0 away to Kilmarnock, but they are warm favourites to respond with a victory over Swiss outfit Servette in the first leg of their Champions League third qualifying round tie.

Reaching the Champions League group stage is a key target for the Gers, who advanced to the final 32 last term but failed to register a single point in a section containing Napoli, Ajax and Liverpool.

Manager Mick Beale will demand a big improvement from Saturday's league defeat but he will be without vastly experienced midfielder Steven Davis, who remains sidelined with a long-term knee injury.

Servette won't be at full-strength due to Enzo Crivelli's suspension and an injury list featuring Theo Magnin, Miroslav Stevanovic, Alexis Antunes, Keigo Tsunemoto, Alexander Lyng and Jeremy Frick.

However, they came through a tough second qualifying round tie against Genk, winning 4-1 on penalties, and will attempt to upset the odds once again.

Rangers are 8-15 favourites to seize the initiatiave at Ibrox while Servette are 11-2 shots.

Marseille look one of the strongest teams involved in Champions League qualifying this season and should establish a first-leg lead over Greek powers Panathinaikos, who they face at the Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium in Athens.

Pana finished second in the Greek Super League last season but they have not reached the Champions League group stage since 2010-11.

The Greeks have landed a tough draw and may struggle to contain Marseille, who are likely to field high-profile summer signings Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ismaila Sarr in a potent attacking unit.

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