Red Star Belgrade vs Rangers Match Analysis and prediction

5 years ago 788

Red Star Belgrade welcome Rangers to Stadium Rajko Mitic in Dejinje for the second leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday night with kickoff at 20:45.

Rangers cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win in the first leg at Ibrox last week, with James Tavernier opening the scores in the 11^th minute from the penalty spot, before Alfredo Morelos and Leon Balogun sealed the emphatic victory, while Aleksandar Katai was denied by Rangers’s shot-stopper, Allan McGregor from the 12 yard spot in the 24^th minute.

The defeat was Red Star’s first loss since November fourth and they need a miracle on Thursday to stand any chance of making it to the quarter-finals of the competition.

They head into the match off a confidence-boosting 2-1 win over Metalac at away in the Serbian SuperLiga last Monday. The result keeps them above their city rivals Partizan at the Summit of the league.

Red Star are in a strong home form, having lost none of their last eight matches on home soil and will be desperate to extend the run as they aim at pulling a major comeback here.

Meanwhile Rangers proceeded to claim another comfortable 3-0 victory over Dundee in the quarter-finals the Scottish Cup last Sunday. They have now gone unbeaten in their last 11 games across all competitions and have won all their last four on the trot, claiming clean sheets in all four.

The Gers have found their stride and will be looking to maintain the run as they look to extend their life in the Europa League. A win on Thursday could make the dark-horses for the title and they will confident of booking their place in the last eight.