Prediction: Malmo vs Rangers

Verdict: Under 3.5 goals

Best Odds: 2/5

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Getting their Europa League adventure underway on Thursday evening, Rangers will travel to the Eleda Stadion when they meet Malmo.

Malmo

Starting with the hosts, reclaiming their Allsvenskan crown last season and enjoying another domestic romp, Malmo are once again sat in the driving seat this time around. Last seen over the weekend putting in a thumping performance as they stormed their way to a stellar 4-0 romp against Hacken, the Swedish heavyweights will be desperate to use that result as a platform to build on. Suffering Champions League heartbreak last month as they suffered a 4-0 aggregate defeat at the hands of Sparta Prague, Henrik Rydstrom’s men do have the feel of a squad seeking some recent stability. Winning just a pair of their previous seven appearances across all competitions, Malmo have failed to collect back-to-back victories over the past six weeks. However, despite their inconsistencies, it should be highlighted that Rydstrom’s side have not shipped a single goal in over 360 minutes of action.

Team News

Dealing with what has become a stacked injury list over the past couple of months, Malmo will once again be without the likes of Anton Tinnerholm, Niklas Moisander and Daniel Gudjohnsen. Likewise, enduring what has been a real struggle since arriving from Stoke this summer, Sead Hakasabanovic remains on the sidelines.

Marking his return with a brace against Hacken on Sunday afternoon, veteran striker Anders Christiansen will spearhead Malmo’s charge in the final third. Former Brentford defender Pontus Jansson will start at the heart of Rydstrom’s defence.

Rangers

As for the visitors, while Rangers might have endured a real struggle when getting the new campaign underway, the Scottish heavyweights have turned a recent corner. Despite heading into September’s international break with an infamous 3-0 drumming at the hands of arch-rivals Celtic, the Blues have won each of their other four appearances across all competitions. Extending on their League Cup adventure last weekend as they secured a 3-0 victory against Dundee, Philippe Clement’s men will now be desperate to claim some crucial stability away from Ibrox. In fact, continuing on from last season, Thursday’s guests have recorded just a pair of wins on their travels since returning from March’s international break. Likewise, Rangers have failed to secure a single victory from any of their four historic European battles against Malmo.

Team News

Once again missing out against Dundee last weekend, Rangers are once again expected to be without former Ajax striker Danilo on Thursday evening. Both still dealing with respective thigh injuries, the Blues are also likely to be unable to call upon the duo of Rabbi Matondo and Turkish defender Ridvan Yilmaz over in Sweden.

Finding the net in two of his previous four domestic appearances across all competitions, Wales international Tom Lawrence should partner Cyriel Dessers in the final third. Arriving from Brazilian giants Fluminense over the summer, 20-year-old Jetfe will start at left-back here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Malmo and Rangers met in the Champions League qualifiers back in August 2021, the Swedish giants won their two showdowns by an aggregate score of 4-2.
• Rangers have won four of their previous five domestic appearances across all competitions.
• Malmo have registered just a pair of wins from any of their previous seven matchups across all formats.
• However, Thursday’s hosts have recorded a clean sheet in all of their previous four domestic matchups.
• Rangers have recorded just a pair of victories away from Ibrox since the start of March.

Conclusion

While Malmo and Rangers might have a history of producing plenty of action when they meet, we could be set for a more cagey affair on Thursday evening. With the Scottish giants recording a clean sheet in four of their previous five appearances on either side of September’s international break, the midweek hosts have also shown some continued defensive steel. In fact, Malmo have not conceded a single strike in over 360 minutes of action.

Verdict: Under 3.5 goals

Best Odds: 2/5

Bookmaker: Olympusbet