Kick-off: 1945, 09/08/2022
Stadium: Ibrox
Rangers have given themselves a mountain to climb after losing 2-0 in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier versus Union Saint Gilloise.
However, Ibrox will still be jumping for the return fixture and we haven’t given up hope of the Glasgow outfit progressing to the next round.
Punters can get 3.1 for a home win by more than one clear goal and that is our opening Rangers vs Union Saint Gilloise prediction.
Rangers Odds
Rangers started brightly at Den Dreef in Belgium but fell behind on 27 minutes when Teddy Teuma was left open in the area and took full advantage.
Antonio Colak wasted a good chance to equalise before Dante Vanzeir’s controversial second-half penalty doubled the advantage.
At least Jon McLaughlin did well to deny Vanzeir when he was put clean through and James Tavernier cleared a header off the line to keep Gers in the tie.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side have since been boosted by the return of star striker Alfredo Morelos from injury and he scored in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat of Kilmarnock.
Colak also netted and is looking forward to this contest, telling RangersTV: “European nights at Ibrox are always special.
“We are really confident we are going to turn it around. We will go with 100 per cent in front of our fans and we know we can change this result.
“We have big belief and we will prepare as well as we can and try to qualify for the next round because this is our target.”
Colak helped Malmo to reach the group stage last season with five goals during the qualifying rounds, including a double at this venue versus the Light Blues.
Looking at the Rangers vs Union Saint Gilloise odds, he appeals at 5.0 to break the deadlock here.
Union Saint Gilloise Odds
St Gilloise were worthy winners of the first leg but they did receive a bit of help via VAR for the penalty decision.
Referee Irfan Peljto decided Teuma’s drive hit the arm of defender Connor Goldson and was deserving of a spot-kick even though there was a deflection.
Former Gers forward Ally McCoist told talkSPORT: “It was an absolutely terrible decision – as bad as Rangers’ performance.
“That’s what really annoys me about VAR. Are these people for real? Who in their right mind thinks that’s a penalty?
“It’s important that you have people who are making these decisions that have played the game to a certain level and understand it. It baffled me, absolutely baffled me.”
The hope here is that Rangers can start off on the front foot and stay in control this time.
St Gilloise failed to impress despite picking up four points from their first two domestic matches this term and were hammered 3-0 at Mechelen over the weekend.
Let’s add 3.8 for the hosts to lead 1-0 at half-time to our Rangers vs Union Saint Gilloise betting tips – and that would set up an exciting second period.
Additional stats
Last result:
RANGERS 2-0 Kilmarnock – Antonio Colak, Alfredo Morelos
Mechelen 3-0 UNION SAINT GILLOISE
Head-to-head: Union Saint Gilloise 2-0 Rangers
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