Rangers enter the Europa League proper this week and they face a potentially tricky trip to Sweden. It’s Malmo v Rangers in the early slot on Thursday.
The one and only Andy Robson is back again to serve up some searing insight for the Gers’ European bow in the 2024/25 campaign. So, the big question is, how does Andy see this one playing out?
Malmo v Rangers tips
Both teams to score
Nedim Bajrami to have 2+ shots
Cyriel Dessers to have 1+ shots on target
Isaac Kiese Thelin to have 1+ shots on target
Vaclav Cerny to commit 1+ fouls
- A Bet Builder with these bets pays at approximately 8/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
WHEN: Thursday 26th of September, 5.45pm
WHERE: Eleda Stadium, Malmo
TV: TNT Sports 2
Further Bet Builder stats are available on Andy’s Opta-powered Bet Builder stats tool, free to use on his website, Andy’s Bet Club. Expert insight on the Premier League can be found specifically on our Premier League predictions page, and the SPFL, EFL, and major European leagues can be found in the football betting predictions section.
Both teams to score
Goals at both ends are a likely outcome between Malmo and Rangers, which is a game that appears to be evenly balanced in terms of the final result.
Although neither of these clubs is particularly prolific in being involved in games in which both teams find the net, Rangers in particular are likely to be involved in more of this type of match in European football, where their defensive weaknesses are exploited.
Philippe Clement’s side might have beaten Dundee 3-0 in the League Cup at the weekend, for example, but they gave up chances to the Dark Blues that a more accomplished side, like Malmo, are likely to take. Equally, the Gers will expect to have the firepower to score at least once in Sweden.
Nedim Bajrami to have 2+ shots
Nedim Bajrami might only have made two Rangers appearances, but there has been enough from the former Sassuolo winger to suggest that he will be a big hit at Ibrox.
The Albania international comes into this encounter having managed two shots in the two Serie B matches he played with the Italian club earlier this season – despite being withdrawn before an hour had been played in each – while he also managed a shot in the single league appearance he has made for Rangers when he came on against Dundee United. Expect him to be a big protagonist for the Gers here.
Cyriel Dessers to have 1+ shots on target
Cyriel Dessers is starting to answer his many critics at Ibrox, having made a strong start to the season. Across all competitions, he has seven goals in nine appearances plus he has chipped in with three assists.
He has managed at least one shot on target in each of the five Scottish Premiership matches he has played and comes into this match on a high, having scored twice in last weekend’s win over Dundee.
Dessers has also proven himself away from home in Europe this season, having netted against Dynamo Kyiv in the Gers’ failed attempt to reach the Champions League.
Isaac Kiese Thelin to have 1+ shots on target
Malmo’s big threat comes from former Bordeaux striker Isaac Kiese Thelin, who has top-scored for the club in the league this season with 14 goals. He has not been as effective in European play – and indeed has not scored in any of the Swedes’ previous six continental outings – but he is still liable to be the man to cause the Gers’ soft centre-backs problems.
Standing at over 6ft2, Malmo will look to exploit Rangers’ weakness from crosses by targeting the experienced 32-year-old, who has 1.78 shots on target per 90 in the Allsvenskan so far this season.
Vaclav Cerny to commit 1+ fouls
Vaclav Cerny is likely to be deployed on the left of the Rangers attack on Wednesday, and coming up against left-back Gabriel Busanello is liable to be drawn into committing at least one foul in this match.
Among Rangers players who have played at least 90 minutes in the league this season, the Czech stands third in terms of fouls committed per 90 on 1.85.
He is set to go head-to-head with a Brazilian left-back who, in Swedish top-flight play, is winning fouls at a rate of 1.38 per 90. Busanello also won fouls in both legs of the Champions League play-off encounter against Sparta Prague, suggesting odds on Cerny to give away at least one in this game are much too big and should be taken advantage of.
Malmo v Rangers Bet Builder tips
Both teams to score
Nedim Bajrami to have 2+ shots
Cyriel Dessers to have 1+ shots on target
Isaac Kiese Thelin to have 1+ shots on target
Vaclav Cerny to commit 1+ fouls
- A Bet Builder with these bets pays at approximately 8/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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