Prediction: Aris Limassol vs Rangers

Verdict: Rangers draw no bet

Best Odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Getting a new era underway on Thursday evening, Rangers will turn their attention back to Europa League duties when they meet Aris.

Aris Limassol

Starting with the hosts, while Aris might have made domestic history last season as they claimed a maiden First Division crown, the Cypriot outfit have rather drastically failed to match a similar level this time around. Last seen over the weekend putting in another worrying display as they slumped to a 1-0 loss at home against Apollon, Aleksey Shpilevsky’s men have come under some increasing scrutiny. Opening their Europa League adventure with an action-packed 3-2 loss away at Sparta Prague, the Light Brigade are without a win from any of their four appearances since returning from September’s international break. While Aris might potentially be smelling the chance to spring an upset on Thursday evening, Shpilevsky will have a mounting headache over his side’s extended issues at the back. It is worth highlighting, the midweek hosts have mustered just a single clean sheet from any of their previous eight outings.

Team News

While 22-year-old Zakaria Sawo was shown a straight red card against Apollon over the weekend, the Swedish forward is free to feature on Thursday evening.

Despite drawing a blank in each of his last five appearances across all competitions, one-time Lens striker Yannick Gomis will be hoping to keep his spot leading Aris’ charge. While 23-year-old Shavy Babicka might have come off the bench and bagged a consolation strike against Sparta Prague a fortnight ago, the Gabon international should have to settle for a spot among Shpilevsky’s subs.

Rangers

As for the visitors, putting in a nightmare performance at Ibrox last weekend as they were hit with a 3-1 loss at the hands of Aberdeen, that result was enough to bring Michael Beale’s tenure to an end. Parting ways with the former QPR boss earlier in the week and getting a new era underway on Thursday evening, the Scottish giants will be desperate to claim an immediate response here. Opening their Europa League adventure with an eye-catching win against Spanish outfit Real Betis on September 19th, Rangers have their sights set on punching a knockout stage ticket this year. Still winning four of their previous five appearances since returning from September’s international break, the midweek guests will now be hoping to find some stability on foreign soil. Including their Europa League final heartbreak at the hands of Eintracht Frankfurt 18 months ago, it is worth noting that the Blues have lost each of their last four Europa League contests away from Ibrox.

Team News

While Scott Wright might have been shown a red card against Aberdeen over the weekend, the 26-year-old is free to feature on Thursday evening. However, still dealing with a stacked injury list, Rangers will once again be without the likes of Todd Cantwell, Kieran Dowell, Kemar Roofe and ex-Derby star Tom Lawrence when they arrive in Cyprus.

Opening his Europa League account with a strike against Real Betis last month and now bagging three goals in his previous four appearances, 22-year-old Abdallah Sima will spearhead Rangers’ charge here.

Key Factors to Consider

• Despite slumping to a 3-1 loss at home against Aberdeen over the weekend, Rangers have still won four of their previous five appearances since returning from September’s international break.
• However, the Scottish giants have lost each of their last four Europa League showdowns on foreign soil.
• Aris have failed to muster a single win from any of their four contests since returning from September’s international break.
• Likewise, the reigning Cypriot champions have recorded just one clean sheet from any of their last eight appearances across all competitions.
• On a similar note, Aris have also recorded just a single clean sheet from their previous seven contests on home soil.

Conclusion

Getting a new era underway on Thursday evening after parting ways with Beale earlier in the week, Rangers will be desperate to lay down another Europa League marker here. Opening their European adventure with an impressive 1-0 win against Real Betis a fortnight ago, the Scottish giants will be looking to cash in on an Aris squad that have shown a string of issues since returning from September’s international break. While Rangers might still be looking to appoint a new permanent boss to replace Beale, we are backing an away draw no bet in Cyprus.

Verdict: Rangers draw no bet

Best Odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: Olympusbet