Rangers and Union SG are set to clash on Thursday night in the final matchday of the Europa League, both aiming for a spot in the top eight of the league phase table.
The hosts are 13th in the standings with 11 points from seven games, while the visitors are 15th and also with 11 points, leaving the pair trailing the top eight by three points.
Match preview
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Rangers' 2024-25 season has been marked by inconsistency, highlighted by making their worst start to a Scottish Premiership campaign after 12 matches since returning to the top flight in 2016-17, with only seven wins, two draws and three defeats.
While they have improved in their following league outings, winning eight, drawing three and losing one in the subsequent 12 outings, Rangers have been much more consistent throughout their Europa League campaign.
After squandering the opportunity to compete in the Champions League by losing their third round qualifying tie 3-1 on aggregate to Dynamo Kyiv, Rangers dropped into the Europa League and have won three, drawn two and lost two of their seven fixtures.
They came into matchday seven against Manchester United with the chance to strengthen their standings and move into the top eight, but a narrow 2-1 defeat has seen them slide down the table and into 11th.
Regardless, Philippe Clement's men remain in contention for a top-eight spot, needing a victory on Thursday and several teams from fifth-placed Lyon to 12th-placed Olympiacos, who have between 12 and 14 points, to lose.
However, they must also be wary of a potential slide further down the table, as a loss combined with unfavourable results elsewhere could see the Gers drop as low as 22nd, landing in the unseeded positions for the knockout playoff round.
Their opponents, Union SG, are in a similar position to Rangers, coming into the match placed 15th in the league phase table with 11 points from their seven fixtures.
The visitors similarly failed to qualify for the Champions League at the beginning of the term, losing 4-1 on aggregate to Slavia Praha in the third qualifying round, consigning Union SG to the Europa League.
They initially struggled to get going in Europe, losing two and drawing two of their first four fixtures, a run of form that coincided with a difficult period in domestic competitions.
However, their performances and results have seen a significant improvement in the past months, with Union SG heading into this one having won 12, drawn five and lost one of their last 18 across all competitions.
Those results have seen Sebastien Pocognoli's side climb from 10th to third in the Belgian Pro League standings, while their three consecutive Europa League wins heading into this one mean they remain in contention for a top eight spot.
Similarly to Rangers, Union SG would require all three points from this match and several of the teams between fifth-placed Lyon and 12th-placed Olympiacos to drop points, while they could also drop to as low as 22nd if they are to lose and depending on results elsewhere.
Pocognoli's men will be hoping to take advantage of Rangers' struggles at home in the Europa League, taking just four points from three home matches, but Union SG have had their own difficulties on the road, taking just three points from three away outings.
Team News
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Rangers will remain without the services of Dujon Sterling (foot), John Souttar (unspecified) and Neraysho Kasanwirjo (knee) for this match due to ongoing injury issues.
Connor Barron, Vaclav Cerny and Leon Balogun are all also doubts for this outing having missed the victory over Dundee United following injuries against Manchester United a week ago.
After starting together in attack against Dundee Utd, Clement could opt to once again deploy both Hamza Igamane and Cyriel Dessers in attack, with Ridvan Yilmaz and Nedim Bajrami playing from wide positions.
As for Union SG, Alessio Castro-Montes, Henok Teklab and Sofiane Boufal are ruled out due to injury issues, while Christian Burgess and Koki Machida are suspended after both receiving red cards in the 2-1 win over Braga.
Franjo Ivanovic has impressed in his first season for Union SG, scoring 13 in 26 appearances for his new side, including four in seven Europa League fixtures, and the striker is expected to lead the line here.
Rangers possible starting lineup:
Butland; Tavernier, Propper, King, Jefte; Raskin, Diomande; Bajrami, Dessers, Yilmaz; Igamane
Union SG possible starting lineup:
Moris; Sykes, Mac Allister, Leysen; Niang, Vanhoutte, Perre, Sadiki, Khalaili; Ivanovic, Fuseini
We say: Rangers 2-1 Union SG
Both teams will be desperate to secure the victory in an attempt to push into the top eight, but with Rangers boasting the home advantage, where they have only lost twice this season, we believe the hosts will win here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
