Rangers vs Servette predictions as the Gers hope to bounce back from their weekend shocking defeat by taking a lead in the Champions League qualifier. Read on for our free betting tips and predictions.
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Match Live Wednesday, 9th August at 7:45 pm In:
Rangers vs Servette Predictions
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The Battle at Ibrox Beckons
Key Stats
– Servette remains unbeaten in the 2023-24 season, reflecting their sturdy form.
– Abdallah Sima, Rangers’ forward, boasts a notable 7.20 BettingTips4You Expert Rating, indicating his potential threat.
Rangers are set to lock horns with Switzerland’s Servette FC at Ibrox, the iconic stadium, in what promises to be an intriguing first-leg fixture of the Champions League’s third qualifying round. The Glasgow giants are itching to set the tone early, following an unexpected stumble against Kilmarnock. Contrarily, the Swiss side have enjoyed a solid start, remaining unbeaten this term, reflecting a promising vigour.
Rangers’ Road So Far
Michael Beale’s Rangers, despite an impressive record from the previous Scottish Premiership season with a mere four losses in 38 fixtures, suffered a blow in their opening match. While they dominated Kilmarnock in terms of possession and total shots, they couldn’t capitalise, succumbing to a Brad Lyons’ decisive strike.
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Furthermore, Rangers’ pre-season paints a mixed picture. It’s a tale of two faces; on one side, a defeat against the English side, Newcastle United, and on the other, a commendable triumph over Germany’s Hamburger SV. Their preparations ended with a draw against another German club, Hoffenheim. It’s evident; consistency is something Beale’s side desperately needs.
Last season’s Champions League was nothing short of a nightmare for the Scottish side. With a crushing -20 goal difference, they found themselves at the bottom of their group, facing defeats against footballing titans Liverpool, Napoli, and Ajax. This year, however, they’re hungry for redemption.
Servette’s Steady Stride
Servette have been impressive so far, standing tall against Belgium’s Genk in the previous round of the Champions League. Even with a player down, due to Enzo Crivelli’s early dismissal, Rene Weiler’s men showed resilience, advancing after a tense penalty shootout.
Their domestic journey has been equally noteworthy. The Geneva club has managed to keep a clean slate this season, including a dramatic equaliser by Patrick Pflucke in the dying moments against Stade Lausanne-Ouchy. This indicates a never-say-die spirit that they’ll surely bring to Glasgow.
Team News and Line-ups
Rangers have been plagued by injuries, with key players Nnamdi Ofoborh and Steven Davis out of action. However, the fans witnessed five fresh faces during their last outing, with Brighton loanee Abdallah Sima making his presence felt. Servette, on the other hand, have their injury concerns with a notable absence of Enzo Crivelli due to suspension.
Rangers Starting XI: Butland; Tavernier, Goldson, Souttar, Barisic; Lundstram, Raskin, Dowell; Lammers, Dessers, Sima
Servette Starting XI: Mall; Vouilloz, Rouiller, Severin, Baron; Touati, Ondoua, Douline, Kutesa; Guillemenot, Bedia
Digging Deeper into the Predictions: A Closer Look at Rangers vs Servette
1. Match Outcome Prediction: Rangers to Win
The Rangers’ Edge
While Rangers may have experienced a shaky start to the season, they remain a formidable force at Ibrox. In the previous season, they lost just four of their 38 matches in the Scottish Premiership, establishing a clear dominance on their home turf. In contrast, Servette had to work their way through a tight fixture against Belgian club Genk, indicating they may not be as well-prepared to face off against a team of Rangers’ calibre.
Furthermore, Servette’s recent Champions League form shows a draw followed by a win. However, this was achieved under extreme circumstances, notably with a player less and largely being outpossessed by Genk. Such stats indicate that while Servette may be tenacious, they could find it challenging to keep up with a Rangers side hungry for redemption, especially after their poor show in the Champions League last season.
Servette’s Previous Showdowns
A point worth noting is Servette’s 26% possession against Genk and their reliance on penalty shootouts to advance. Such stats, while showcasing their defensive capabilities, also underline a potential vulnerability when pitted against a more attacking team, such as the Rangers, who in their previous match against Kilmarnock, boasted of 18 shots and a dominant possession game.
2. Correct Score Prediction: 2-1 in favour of Rangers
Rangers’ Attacking Prowess
While Servette have had a decent run, the Gers, especially at home, present a different challenge altogether. The hosts have shown, even in defeat, a knack for creating opportunities, with an average of 18 shots per game. It is only a matter of time before this pressure translates into goals.
Defensive Lapses: Both Sides Vulnerable
Both teams have recently conceded goals, and the Rangers’ 1-0 defeat to Kilmarnock and Servette’s 1-1 draw against Stade Lausanne-Ouchy are testimonies to defensive vulnerabilities. This further substantiates the prediction of a scoreline with goals from both sides.
3. Goalscorer Prediction: Abdallah Sima to Score
The Newcomer’s Promise
Abdallah Sima, a loanee from Brighton & Hove Albion, has quickly established himself as a key figure in the Rangers lineup. His forward position and the high average rating (7.20) from previous performances point to him being in good form and a constant threat in the final third.
Servette’s Defensive Woes
Given Servette’s stats against Genk, where they allowed the Belgian side to take 33 shots, a sharpshooter like Sima could find opportunities to pierce through their defence. If Rangers maintain their attacking form, feeding the ball regularly into the final third, Sima stands a strong chance to find the back of the net.
While much has been discussed about Alex Scott’s imminent departure, which could boost Bristol’s transfer kitty, the focus is also on the potential stars within their squad. The match against Oxford provides Pearson with a golden opportunity to evaluate these fringe players.
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