Prediction: Rangers vs Jagiellonia

Seeking an essential Europa League turnaround on Thursday night, Rangers will welcome Jagiellonia to Ibrox for their second-leg showdown.

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Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves 

Best Odds: 10/11

Bookmaker: BetUS

Rangers

Starting with the hosts, while there might have been plenty of excitement around Ibrox earlier in the summer following Derek McInnes’ appointment in Glasgow, the former Aberdeen boss already finds some immediate pressure mounting on his shoulders. Failing to claim a first-leg advantage on foreign soil last week as they opened their Europa League qualifying adventure with a 2-1 loss in Poland, the Scottish icons find their European dreams firmly hanging in the balance. Failing to ease some of the tension around Glasgow over the weekend as they eventually slumped to a last-gasp 2-1 defeat at home against Hibernian, McInnes’ downbeat squad have also continued to show some glaring defensive issues on either side of the summer break. In fact, Rangers have failed to register a single completive clean sheet since the middle of March.

Rangers Team News

Stretchered off after just 36 minutes at Ibrox over the weekend and appearing in serious distress, Rangers will be without former Everton striker and Portuguese youngster Chermiti on Thursday night. McInnes’ camp will also be unable to call upon former Aberdeen midfielder Connor Barron due to a knee issue.

Handed a domestic rest on Sunday, Norwegian playmaker Thelo Aasgaard will certainly be handed an immediate full recall. Completing a permanent switch from Hull City this summer, Croatian shot-stopper Ivor Pandur will start between the sticks.

Jagiellonia

As for the visitors, mounting what was a famous comeback at the Chorten Arena last week as they eventually dragged themselves to an iconic 2-1 victory, Jagiellonia are on the cusp of claiming a remarkable Europa League scalp. Clinching a bronze medal finish among Poland’s elite last season, Adrian Siemieniec’s side should also be excited by their extended success on the road. Relishing a trip to Ibrox on Thursday night, the Bialystok-based outfit have suffered just a sole competitive defeat on their travels since the middle of January. Despite being pencilled in as a major underdog contender in Glasgow, Jagiellonia should be confident of testing a leaky Rangers defence in midweek.

Jagiellonia Team News

Still dealing with a long-term muscle injury and not making a single appearance across any competition so far this calendar year, Jagiellonia will once again be without the services of former Slovenian U21 international Dusan Stojinovic here.

Handed a domestic rest over the weekend, former Villarreal youngster Sergio Lozano will be handed an immediate full recall in the middle of the park. One-time Celtic defender Yuki Kobayashi will start at the heart of Jagiellonia’s defence on Thursday night.

Rangers vs Jagiellonia Key Factors to Consider

• When Rangers and Jagiellonia met for their first-leg showdown in Poland last week, Thursday’s guests clinched a famous 2-1 victory.
• Continuing on from last season, Rangers have mustered just a single win from any of their previous eight appearances across all competitions.
• In fact, Rangers have failed to register a single completive clean sheet since the middle of March.
• Jagiellonia have suffered just a single defeat away from the Chorten Arena since the middle of January.
• 10 of Rangers’ last 11 showdowns at Ibrox have finished with over 2.5 goals.

Conclusion

Eventually suffering a major collapse over in Poland last week as they fell to a 2-1 loss, Rangers have a huge amount of pressure on their shoulders here. With their Europa League dreams hanging by a thread on Thursday night, the Scottish giants will also have some serious concerns over their defensive issues. Despite opening their crucial showdown in Glasgow pencilled in as a standout contender, they will meet a Jagiellonia squad who have suffered just a sole defeat on their travels since the middle of January.

Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves

Best Odds: 10/11

Bookmaker: BetUS