Rangers v USG predictions: Gers on the brink of Champions League exit

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Rangers v USG in the Champions League on Tuesday.

When to bet

7.45pm Tuesday

Best bet

Dante Vanzeir to score at any time
1pt 3-1 general

Match preview

Rangers will need a repeat of last season's European heroics if they are to progress past Union Saint-Gilloise in the third qualification stage of the Champions League.

Last season’s Europa League finalists pulled off some memorable continental comebacks at Ibrox last term and the Light Blues, who were 4-11 to qualify before the first-leg, are 11-4 to turn around a 2-0 Champions League qualifying deficit against USG in Glasgow.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men were 1-0 down after the opening contest of both their Europa League quarter-final and semi-final but, roared on by the Ibrox faithful, they were able to turn things around against Braga and Leipzig.

Clearly, home advantage is huge for Rangers, and while they can be sure of the vocal backing of a packed Ibrox, they still need to give their fans something to shout about.

Braga and Leipzig are better sides than USG, but Rangers have a 2-0 scoreline to overcome and the Gers don’t look to have the cutting edge that propelled them last term.

Van Bronckhorst has credit in the bank after last season’s Europa League efforts but domestic performances under the Dutchman have been a little drab to say the least. The 47-year-old sets his side up to dominate possession but there is little penetration or progression in their slow-paced build-up play.

It took the Gers 72 minutes to find the net against lowly Livingston in their SPL opener this season and the Light Blues managed just six shots on target from 83 per cent possession at Almondvale. It was much the same at home to Kilmarnock last weekend, when Van Bronckhorst’s men took 51 minutes to break down Killie, amassing just four shots on target from 72 per cent of the ball.

Domestically, Rangers have won just two of their last 15 matches by more than a two-goal margin and we aren’t talking about high-level opposition in the SPL. The Gers will need to cut loose against Union and it’s debatable if the Light Blues are up to the job.

Joe Aribo was a key attacking figure for the Gers last season but the forward departed for Southampton in the summer. Ryan Kent, who laid on seven European assists last term, picked up an ankle injury against Livi and Alfredo Morelos, who notched four times in the Europa League, was fit enough only for a place on the bench against Kilmarnock.

It’s unlikely that Morelos and Kent will be risked from the start against USG and and their attacking talent will be missed.

USG are well drilled defensively and they cut a solid side in the first-leg at the Joseph Marien Stadium. Rangers are likely to have to chase the tie at some point, and in Dante Vanzeir, Les Unionistes have pace on the break. The 24-year-old scored in the first-leg, looked a constant threat in behind the Rangers rearguard and hit 14 goals in the Belgian top-flight last term.

Union look to have a strong chance of holding on to or even stretching their advantage in the second-leg, but offers of 1-4 about qualification reflect that. Vanzei is 3-1 to find the net at Ibrox and that looks the better value bet.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER

Not got a William Hill account? Sign up and bet £10 to get £30 in free bets

Open a new account using Promo code H30 only, Min £10 stake, min odds 1/2, free bets paid as 2 x £15, free bets credited after settlement of first qualifying bet, free bets will expire 30 days after the qualifying bet is placed, payment method/player/country restrictions apply. T&Cs apply 18+ begambleaware.org

CLAIM OFFER HERE

MORE FREE BETS

Sign up to emails from Racing Post Sport and get all the latest news and tips

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport