Rangers vs. RB Leipzig Odds
Rangers Odds | +260 |
RB Leipzig Odds | +260 |
Draw | +100 |
Over/Under | 2.5 (-125 / -110) |
Day | Time | Thursday | 3 p.m. ET |
How To Watch | Paramount+ | fuboTV |
Odds updated via BetMGM. Get up-to-the-minute soccer odds here. |
A brilliant strike from Angeliño gave RB Leipzig a 1-0 edge in its Europa League semifinal opener with Rangers, giving the Bundesliga side an edge heading into Thursday's reverse fixture in Scotland.
In a largely dull first leg that saw the sides fail to garner many quality scoring chances, Leipzig's goal was crucial in creating an advantage for the German club ahead of this important meeting.
After both teams suffered disappointing results this past weekend, how do they stack up ahead of this crucial battle? Let's take a look.
Scottish Side Rangers in Ideal Position
The 1-0 loss was a disappointment for Rangers. However, for a team that went into the fixture as a +900 underdog, the result wasn't the worst thing in the world and the performance was pretty solid.
Rangers limited Leipzig to 1.02 expected goals in the slugfest, and if it wasn't for a moment of brilliance, it would be able to enter this game on equal footing.
The more disappointing result came at the weekend, where Rangers wasn't able to pick up three points in the Old Firm against Celtic. A win would have allowed the side to have a fighting shot at the Scottish league title, but any hope of that is now all but gone.
Now, full focus turns toward this Europa League effort, where Rangers has a chance to qualify into the Champions League group stage for the first time since 2010.
RB Leipzig After Champions League Berth
Similarly to Rangers' result this past weekend, Leipzig wasn't able to get the job done in a key fixture.
For Leipzig, its 3-1 defeat to Borussia Mönchengladbach served as a heavy setback in its effort to qualify for the UCL via the league table. Of course, this competition still serves as a route for direct entry into Europe's top flight.
Unlike Rangers, Leipzig has been a mainstay in the Champions League, qualifying for five consecutive group stages. Failing to reach a sixth would be a big disappointment, particularly considering there are two clear pathways for the German team to qualify.
This fixture will be a massive reason why Leipzig does or does not earn that distinction, and all of the pressure will be sitting with it as a favorite.
Betting Analysis & Pick
Rangers holds a 0.92 xG/game margin at home in the Europa League, while Leipzig has a -0.1 xG/game margin away from home and that on its own is enough to justify a play on the host.
Considering the Scottish side came into the first leg with a quality game plan and solid execution, I'm confident putting my faith behind the squad.
Leipzig has shown in the German league that it's a capable road side, but at this price, it's being given far too much credit. Leipzig has posted xG deficits in consecutive road league games, and it'll be entering a Scottish atmosphere that is going to be remarkably difficult to excel in.
I'll take my chances on Rangers making this a contested battle.
Pick: Rangers +0.5 (-120)