Prediction: Rangers vs Lyon

Verdict: Both teams to score 

Best Odds: 2/3

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Two sides who will be looking to claim consecutive Europa League victories, Rangers will welcome Lyon to Ibrox on Thursday night.

Rangers

Starting with the hosts, while Rangers might have shown a string of glaring issues prior to September’s international break, Philippe Clement’s men have come roaring back in some style. Getting their Europa League campaign underway with a dominant display on foreign soil last week as they clinched a 2-0 win away at Malmo, the Blues are in the midst of a real purple patch. Likewise, picking up some perfect momentum last weekend as they secured a 1-0 victory against Hibernian, the former Monaco boss has seen his squad win all of their previous four consecutive appearances across all competitions. Extending on their League Cup adventure on September 21st as they stormed their way to a 3-0 romp against Dundee, Rangers have shown some real defensive steel. In fact, Clement’s side have not conceded a single goal since returning from September’s International break.

Team News

Yet to make a single appearance across any competition so far this season and still dealing with a thigh injury, Rangers will once again be without the services of Turkey international Ridden Yilmaz on Thursday night. Also not featuring since September’s fortnight interval, ex-Ajax starlet Danilo will not play any part here.

Registering six goals across all fronts so far this season, Cyriel Dessers will lead Clement’s charge in the final third. Finding the net away at Malmo last week, summer recruit and former Sassuolo star Nedim Bajrami will partner 22-year-old Connor Barron in the middle of the park.

Lyon

As for the visitors, although Lyon might have shown some real issues when opening up the new campaign, Les Gones have certainly claimed a much-needed boost over the past week. Getting their Europa League adventure with a 2-0 victory at home against Greek giants Olympiacos, Pierre Sage’s men have collected back-to-back wins across all competitions for the first time this season. However, despite heading into September’s international break with a remarkable 4-3 victory at home against Strasbourg, Thursday’s guests know the importance of finding some crucial defensive steel. Getting the new campaign underway with a routine 3-0 drumming at the hands of domestic rivals Rennes, Lyon have registered just a pair of clean sheets from any of their previous 15 consecutive appearances across all fronts – a run that stems all the way back to April 2nd.

Team News

Heading into their trip to Ibrox on Thursday night, Lyon have reported a clean bill of health and have no fresh injury concerns or suspensions to worry about here. Arriving from Brazilian giants Botafogo over the summer, Lucas Perri will start between the sticks in Glasgow.

Opening his Europa League account against Olympiacos last week, 21-year-old Ryan Cherki will partner former Arsenal skipper Alexandre Lazazette in the final third. Making his full Lyon debut against Toulouse over the weekend, Wilfried Zaha will be hoping to keep his spot from the start.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Rangers and Lyon last met back in December 2021, Thursday’s opponents played out a 1-1 stalemate at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais.
• Rangers have won all of their previous four appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 7-0.
• Including a 2-0 win against Olympiacos last week, Lyon have collected back-to-back victories for the first time so far this season.
• However, Les Gones have registered just a pair of clean sheets from any of their previous 15 consecutive appearances across all fronts – a run that stems all the way back to April 2nd.
• Rangers have recorded 12 goals in just their previous four showdowns at Ibrox across all competitions.

Conclusion

While Rangers might have found some real defensive steel since returning from September’s international break, we could be treated to an enjoyable showdown from Ibrox on Thursday night. With Lyon continuing to show some real issues at the back on either side of the summer interval, chances could fall at both ends of the pitch in Glasgow. With the two sides playing out a 1-1 stalemate when they last met back in December 2021, we are expecting a both teams to find the net here.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 2/3

Bookmaker: Olympusbet