Borussia Dortmund v Rangers predictions: Gers face daunting trip to Germany

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Borussia Dortmund v Rangers in the Europa League playoff first leg on Thursday.

Where to watch

BT Sport 2, 5.45pm Thursday

Best bet

Borussia Dortmund to win 3-1
1pt 11-1 Hills

Team news

Borussia Dortmund
Veteran centre-back Mats Hummels should keep his place in the starting 11 and Erling Haaland (groin) is a major doubt. Mateu Morey, Marcel Schmelzer and Thorgan Hazard are likely to miss out.

Rangers
Leon Balogun is injured and Filip Helander is not in the Europa League squad. Goalkeeper Allan McGregor and striker Alfredo Morelos return after being rested at the weekend. Ianis Hagi remains sidelined.

Match preview

Rangers' last away fixture was a 3-0 Scottish Cup win over Annan Athletic in front of 2,469 spectators at Galabank but they can expect a slightly different experience when they travel to Borussia Dortmund for Thursday's Europa League playoff first leg.

The Gers have distinguished themselves in this competition during the past three seasons, reaching the last 16 in 2019-20 and 2020-21 and qualifying from Group A this season as runners-up to Lyon.

Their reward is a daunting playoff tie against Dortmund, who are second in the Bundesliga and have won four of their five league games since the winter break, scoring 16 goals.

BVB's star striker Erling Haaland is a fitness doubt but, with or without their Norwegian wunderkind, the hosts pose a huge threat to the Rangers defence.

The Gers have beaten Annan, Hibernian and Hearts by an aggregate score of 10-0 in their last three matches but a more relevant yardstick for the clash with Dortmund was their Old Firm derby defeat at Celtic on February 2.

Rangers were torn apart by the Hoops' slick, pacy attacking unit, conceding three first-half goals in a 3-0 defeat, having also let in three in a draw at Ross County in their previous Scottish Premiership outing.

That does not bode well for their chances of keeping Dortmund at bay. The Germans dropped out of the Champions League despite winning three of their six group games, including home victories over Sporting and Besiktas.

Those wins featured a couple of rare clean sheets for Marco Rose's men and 12 of their 15 Bundesliga victories this season have featured goals at both ends.

Rangers, who could unleash January loan signings Aaron Ramsey and Amad Diallo in support of striker Alfredo Morelos, can expect to create chances but BVB's attacking options are formidable and the 3-1 home win looks a big price in the correct-score betting.

Key stat

Rangers have scored in 12 of their last 15 Europa League away matches.

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