RB Leipzig vs. Rangers Odds
| RB Leipzig Odds | -260 |
| Rangers Odds | +725 |
| Draw | +380 |
| Over/Under | 2.5 (-140 / +112) |
| Day | Time | Thursday | 3 p.m. ET |
| How To Watch | Paramount+ | fuboTV |
| Odds updated via PointsBet. Get up-to-the-minute soccer odds here. | |
The first leg of the Europa League semifinal between RB Leipzig and Rangers F.C. gets underway Thursday, with the host German side entering a massive favorite heading into Red Bulla Arena.
Of course, this is a two-legged affair, so the result in this fixture won't necessarily determine the overall outcome of the tie.
Leipzig got to this point by earning a victory against Serie A club Atalanta in Italy, while the Scottish side advanced past Braga in an entertaining 3-1 win.
That said, here's where the value lies in this Europa League semifinal.
RB Leipzig Finding Consistent Form
It's been an up-and-down season for the Red Bulls, who have advanced all the way to the final of the German Cup, but sit on thin ice in the Bundesliga.
Currently sitting in the fourth and final Champions League position the league offers, Leipzig is just two points clear of SC Freiburg and four clear of Union Berlin. If the club was to drop out of that spot and didn't win the Europa League, Leipzig would likely return to the Europa League next season.
Of course, as I noted, a Europa title would be an even better way to secure qualification into next year's European top flight. And as it stands, the Red Bulls are the favorites to take home the crown at +120 odds.
The good news for Leipzig is it appears to be finding its best form, with six wins in nine games and just two losses since the beginning of February. The Red Bulls will be hoping to make that trend carry over into the home leg of this semifinal, as every goal will be crucial.
Rangers Defining Live Cinderella Story
Going into the second leg of its quarterfinal with Braga, the Scottish powerhouse was +2500 to win the title. Now, Rangers has shortened all the way to +600 odds.
Those are still the longest odds any remaining team has, but this is a quality side that has thrived throughout the competition. Rangers has the fifth-most expected goals per game of any team that has played in the competition, and its in the bottom 20 of xGA thus far.
In the Scottish Premiership, Rangers is all but certain to finish second to Celtic, but the Europa League title would mean the world to the club and a UCL place would have monster financial ramifications.
This is truly one of the biggest moments for Rangers in a long, long time.
Betting Analysis & Pick
Though Leipzig is rightfully a major favorite to secure a home victory, I'm not sure the job will be an easy one for the club.
This Rangers side has a 0.12 xG differential/game away from home in the competition, while Leipzig's mark is just 0.72 at Red Bull Arena. Further, the Red Bulls haven't earned a 1.5 xG differential in a league game at home since the beginning of January and I'm not going to bank on this being the time that fireworks happen.
Getting a goal and then some with Rangers, I'm happy to back the underdog to keep things tight and extend the trends both teams have seen.
Pick: Rangers +1.5 (-115)
