Rangers vs Jagiellonia Bialystok predictions: Tough night in prospect for Gers
Aidan Perkins
Jagiellonia Bialystok won the first leg 2-1 last week
Rangers yet to win competitive game this season
Recommended bet: Jagiellonia Bialystok double chance @ 5/4 with LiveScore Bet
Rangers boss Derek McInnes has been at pains to point out that the side he inherited this summer are not as bad as people have been making out after what has been a slow start to the season.
And now they have the chance to prove it when they face Jagiellonia Bialystok in the second leg of their Europa League third-round qualifier, needing to overturn a 2-1 first-leg defeat.
Last week's slender loss in Poland means McInnes' men must win well at Ibrox on Thursday in order to progress to the play-off round in the competition, but trusting the Gers to deliver is difficult.
The latest Rangers vs Jagiellonia Bialystok odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Rangers will be without Youssef Chermiti after he suffered a knee injury in the weekend defeat against Hibs.
Connor Barron remains a major doubt for the hosts, but Ryan Naderi is among a handful of players who are pushing for recalls to the starting line-up.
Ben Godfrey and John Souttar are both ineligible.
Jagiellonia boss Adrian Siemieniec rested several of his first-choice players for the weekend league defeat to Widzew Lodz, but the visitors will be back at full-strength for Thursday, and are expected to field a very similar side to the first leg.
Among the Polish side's key men are skipper Taras Romanczuk, who should operate in central midfield, and Slovenia Under-21 forward Nik Prelec.
The stats
In last week's first leg, Jagiellonia Bialystok won the shot count 10-8 and had seven shots on target compared to Rangers' three.
The Polish side had won their first three competitive games this season before losing 2-0 in the league to Widzew Lodz at the weekend.
Rangers have failed to win any of their first three competitive games this season.
Jagiellonia have been in the Conference League league phase in the past two seasons and made the quarter-finals in that competition in 2024-25.
Rangers' best run in Europe in recent years came in 2024-25 when they reached the last eight of the Europa League.
The first leg was the first competitive meeting between the two clubs.
The latest Rangers vs Jagiellonia Bialystok odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
LiveScore Bet make Rangers favourites to win the second leg, but it is tricky getting to a place where you fully believe in McInnes' side for this crucial game.
Their start to the campaign has been characterised by sloppy displays and the fact of the matter is, despite McInnes' optimistic outlook, the Glasgow giants are yet to win a competitive game after three outings.
An opening-day league draw at Dundee United was followed up by last week's 2-1 defeat in the first leg of this tie, before Saturday's similar 2-1 home defeat against Hibs.
Early season does often bring with it some unpredictable and unexpected outcomes, but for Rangers yet to win a competitive game ranks as a big surprise - and it is something they must put right as soon as possible.
With the stakes high in this Europa League showdown, we should expect the hosts to go for it as they look to recover the tie, but a dangerous Jagiellonia cannot be ruled out, while the hosts could easily get nervous.
The Poles had won their first three competitive fixtures before going down 2-0 domestically to Widzew Lodz on Sunday, although they clearly had one eye on this big game at the weekend.
At odds against, a draw or away win appeals.
Score prediction: Rangers 2-3 Jagiellonia Bialystok
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