Rangers will look to seal their place in the league phase of the Conference League on Thursday evening as they travel to the Stadion Strelnice to take on Jablonec in the second leg of their playoff tie.
Rangers travel to Czechia with a one-goal advantage, after Ryan Naderi just about bundled home at the beginning of the second half.
The Teddy Bears will be frustrated that they failed to add to their lead and even finished the game down to 10 men after Cammy Devlin's dismissal.
Nevertheless, that’s now back-to-back wins for Derek McInnes’s men – after starting the season winless in four – and they know that if they avoid defeat in Czechia on Thursday night they’ll secure league-phase football in the Conference League.
Both sides will come into this clash fresh after having their league matches postponed at the weekend.
How the bookies view it: Rangers favourites to progress
Rangers are expected to protect their one-goal advantage, with bet365 proving them at just 2/9 To Qualify, but the win on the night is 5/4.
Janlonec are 3/1 to reach the league phase of the Conference League, whilst the win in regulation time is 15/8.
Head to head: Gers to do the double?
Last Thursday’s first-leg success at Ibrox for Rangers is their only previous meeting between these two clubs.
Players to watch: The Don to deliver again?
As alluded to, Ryan Naderi was the match winner in the first leg at Ibrox last Thursday, as he just about tapped Daisuke Yokota’s cutback home five minutes into the second half.
The big German striker has now scored in consecutive games for the Teddy Bears, and is priced at 15/8 at bet365 to extend his goal-scoring streak to three.
Backed a player to find the net? Check our Goalscorer Betting guide to see how the markets work and where to find value.
Predicted line-ups:
Rangers will be missing the injured Tuur Rommens and Youssef Chermiti – as well as the suspended Cammy Devlin – whilst Ben Godfrey and Nico Raskin are doubts.
FK Jablonec: Hanus, Cedidla, Tekijaski, Pavlovic, Slama, Sedlacek, Nebyla, Chanturishvilli, Suchan, Polidar, Jawo
Rangers: Pandur, Sterling, Fernandez, Makhanya, Penrice, Neil, Dragojevic, Raskin, Yokota, Gassama, Naderi
Anything else catch the eye?
Rangers travel to Czechia with a lead, but Derek McInnes’s men may rue the fact they failed to take a bigger advantage.
Jablonec have won all four of their matches in league and Europe at home this campaign, scoring seven times and conceding just once.
Therefore, I’m happy to back the hosts +0.25 on the Asian Handicap, meaning should the game end in a draw we will still receive a half-stakes winner.
GambleAware