Rangers vs BSC Young Boys
Europa League
Date: Thursday, 12 December 2019
Kick-off at 20:00 UK/ 21:00 CET
Venue: Ibrox Stadium (Glasgow).
Team News
Rangers
Rangers have a number of players in danger of one-match ban in the Europa League but Steven Gerrard should go with his strongest XI here because they still need the results to ensure top two finish in Group G.
Shey Ojo and Scott Arfield are in competition to get a start on the left wing, although the former may get the nod after he was an unused substitute against Celtic at the weekend.
Steven Davis missed the Scottish League Cup final at the weekend due to injury but is expected to be back here, while left Borna Barisic recovered in time to start against Celtic on Sunday.
BSC Young Boys
Frederik Sorensen and Niclas Moumi Ngamaleu is one booking away from a one-match ban in the Europa League but Young Boys can still qualify for the knockout stages and both are likely to start.
Christopher Martins Pereira has missed most of the season because of injury but is finally available and will challenge to start in midfield for the away side.
Guillaume Hoarau is also available again after serving out injured for a moral boost for Young Boys Thursday ahead of the trip to Glasgow. He will challenge Roger and Jean-Piette Assale nsame to get a start up front.
Young Boys are still expected to be without six players due to injury in midweek.
Opta Stats
Should they beat Young Boys, the Rangers will be guaranteed winners of Group G; Rangers have not finished above during the group stages of the European tournament since 2006-07 in the UEFA Cup under Paul Le Guen.
This is the first time the Rangers had hosted BSC Young Boys since a 1-0 win in August 1977 (Cup Winners Cup qualifying) and the first time they've hosted opposition since beating Grasshoppers Switzerland 2-1 in the group stage of the Champions League 1996-1997.
Young Boys have never won away against English sides in six attempts (D1 L5), with the Swiss side failed to score in four of those games.
Nine out of 10 last victory Young Boys' in all European competitions have at home - their last European away win against Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League qualifier in August 2018.
Three of Alfedo Morelos' five goals in the UEFA Europa League this season for the Rangers have been aided by Borna Barisic - this is the most one player has assisted another in the competition in 2019-20.
Rangers vs. BSC Young Boys Predictions
Rangers drew 2-2 fifth-day matches in the Europa League. They do hold a 1-2 lead in the 65th minute, but the hosts equalized in the 68th.
Meanwhile, Young Boys a 1-0 lead at home for almost the entire fixture the previous week's game in the competition. They were hosting Porto, and inches of very valuable three points. However, Porto scored twice in a row, in the last quarter of an hour to secure the victory.
This Thursday, the victory is almost mandatory for them to go forward. They are separated by one point in the table, and this will inevitably raise the competitive spirit of the game.
However, home advantage for the Rangers could tip the scales in their favor. Consider that the Rangers are unbeaten in 12 of the previous 13 weeks of their game, and at home, the squad recorded victories in 20 of their previous 23 appearances.
On the other hand, Young Boys lost two of their previous three match-up, and without a win in four of their last six. On the road, they can manage a total of three wins from ten before their trip.
Taking these factors into consideration, this game builds to end in victory for the hosts, Rangers.
Add though, this fact is the end of the match-day will certainly have a voice in the process for ninety minutes. For example, Young Boys in the search for a win, and any other result would do no good.
They are definitely on the back foot, but when the team admitted that they no longer have anything to worry about, and will be releasing wave after wave of attacks to find the back of the net.Couple this observation with the fact that they have won the reverse leg with a 2-1 scoreline, and thus BTTS emerged as a valuable option Thursday.
Rangers vs. BSC Young Boys Betting Tips
To Win: Rangers @ 1.83 (5/6)
Both Teams Score @ 1.75 (3/4).
