Rangers and Lyon will start off their Europa League campaigns with a Group A clash on Thursday at the Ibrox with kickoff at 22:00.
Rangers were hoping to follow up their historic invincible tittle triumph last season with a qualification to the Champions League but a disappointing 4-2 defeat on aggregate ended their dreams of competing in the Europe’s elite competition for the first time in a decade. Therefore, the Gers dropped to the Europe League playoffs where they narrowly edged Alashkert with 1-0 on aggregate to earn a place in this season’s group stage for the fourth time in a row.
Steven Gerrard’s side began their tittle defence in a strong solid way winning four of their five opening matches including the 1-0 victory in the Old Firm Derby. They currently sit in the top spot of the Scottish standings with 12 points, three points and four places above their close rivals Celtic.
They head into the Thursday’s opener in an excellent form as they have not lost in their last six games across all competitions with a three-match home winning streak and Gerrard will be hoping that his side will maintain their 10-match unbeaten run in the Europa League group stage.
Meanwhile Lyon earned their automatic qualification for the Europa League after finishing fourth in last season’s Ligue 1 standings and the French side are among the favorites to win this year’s Europa League title.
Lyon have made mixed up start to their new Ligue 1 campaign as they have only posted two wins in their five opening matches drawing two and losing one so far and they sit in the seventh position with eight points.
However, they head into the Thursday’s clash full of confidence as they have won two of the last Ligue 1 matches edging Nantes with a 1-0 away win before easing past Strasbourg with a 3-1 home win. Also, Lyon have a good record in the Europa League group stage as they have only suffered one defeat in their last 18 group stage matches as well as only losing one of their previous nine away group stage matches in the competition. Therefore, we expect a real fight in this game.
Rangers vs Lyon head to head
Both sides have met three time since 2007 with Rangers claiming two victories while Lyon have one victory. The two are yet to post a draw and this looks like it will be their first draw.
- Lyon 0-2 Rangers 16/07/20
- Rangers 0-3 Lyon 12/12/07
- Lyon 0-3 Rangers 02/10/07
Home
- St Johnston 1-2 Rangers
- Rangers 1-0 Celtic
- Alashkert 0-0 Rangers
- Ross county 2-4 Rangers
- Rangers 1-0 Alashkert
Away
- Lyon 3-1 Strasbourg
- Nantes 0-1 Lyon
- Lyon 3-3 Clermont Foot
- Angers 3-0 Lyon
- Lyon 1-1 Brest
Rangers team news
Rangers will be without Connor Goldson and Ianis Hagi who are isolating due to testing positive for Covid-19 while Ryan Jack continues to recover from a calf injury.
Lyon team news
Lyon will also be without a number of players including Leo Dubois, Tino Kadewere, Lenny Pintor and Jeff Reine-Adelaide through injuries.
Prediction and odds
- Lyon win
- Both sides to score
- Goals over 2.5
