Prediction: Malmo vs Rangers

Verdict: Rangers win

Best Odds: 11/10

Bookmaker: Unibet

Turning their attention to European duties in midweek, Rangers will look to pick up an early advantage when they make the trip to Swedish side Malmo on Tuesday evening.

Malmo

Starting with the hosts, managing to avoid what was a real scare away at Finnish outfit HJK last week, Malmo just about managed to extend on their Champions League qualifying adventure. Eventually landing themselves a 4-3 aggregate victory following an action-packed 2-2 draw on foreign soil last time out, Jon Dahl Tomasson’s side will know that they face another tough test on Tuesday evening. Struggling to find top gear during their back-to-back European ties against HJK and Riga over the past three weeks, the Light Blues still find themselves in a battle to defend their domestic crown. Despite being last seen on Allsvenskan landing a 2-0 victory away at Mjällby a fortnight ago, Malmo are still chasing a one-point deficit behind Djurgården and top spot. If Tuesday’s hosts are to land an early advantage in midweek, Tomasson will be calling on the red-hot Andres Christiansen to spearhead their charge. Finding the net last time out, the 31-year-old has four goals in his last five outings across all formats.

Team News

Enjoying a real free-scoring European run, skipper Anders Christiansen will feature in a number 10 role on Tuesday evening.

Malmo have confirmed that long-term injury absentee Ola Toivonen will once again miss out in midweek.

Rangers

As for the visitors, watching Celtic open this year’s Premiership campaign with a shock 2-1 defeat away at Hearts, Rangers managed to get their season off to a flying start. Only continuing on what has been a remarkable rise under Steven Gerrard, the defending Scottish champions secured themselves a thumping 3-0 win against Livingston at Ibrox over the weekend. With the mood in their camp at a red-hot high and many tipping them as a runaway pick to defend their domestic crown this season, the former England skipper also saw his side pick up some perfect momentum with their final pre-season outing. Shocking many across Europe, the Blues picked up a stellar 2-1 win against Spanish giants Real Madrid on home soil. Making their first Champions League appearance in a decade on Tuesday evening, Rangers will be looking to gain some revenge in midweek. Remarkably, the last time Gerrard’s side were seen in the Champions League duties back in August 2011, they were hit with a 2-1 aggregate defeat against Malmo.

Team News

Despite returning from Copa America duties, Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos will once again miss out on Tuesday as he remains in quarantine.

Likewise, the duo of Kemar Roofe and Glen Kamara will not feature as they serve suspensions.

Key Factors to Consider

• Remarkably, the last time Rangers were seen on Champions League duties a decade ago they were hit with a 2-1 aggregate defeat against Tuesday’s hosts.
• Three of Malmo’s last four European contests on home soil have finished with both teams finding the net.
• Steven Gerrard’s side opened the 2021/22 Premiership campaign with a 3-0 win against Livingston at Ibrox.
• Each of Malmo’s last six matchups across all formats have seen over 1.5 goals by the final whistle.
• Continuing on from last season, Rangers are unbeaten in each of their last 12 straight competitive away fixtures.

Conclusion

While Rangers might be without some of their big names on Tuesday evening, Steven Gerrard’s men should be looking to pick up an early advantage on foreign soil. Confident of gaining some revenge after their last Champions League exit against Malmo a decade ago, the mood in the Blues’ camp should be at a real high. Opening up the defence of their Premiership title with a thumping 3-0 win against Livingston on home soil, Rangers also shocked many across Europe with their pre-season outing against Spanish giants Real Madrid. Landing a 2-1 victory at Ibrox and making the trip to Sweden in midweek riding a real wave, we’re backing what could be another eye-catching contest for Gerrard’s side.

Verdict: Rangers win

Best Odds: 11/10

Bookmaker: Unibet