RANGERS have been written off by bookies ahead of their Europa League semi-final showdown with RB Leipzig after a 1-0 first leg loss in Germany.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side would qualify for their second European final in 50 years if they could overturn the deficit at what is sure to be an absolutely raucous Ibrox on Thursday.
Borussia Dortmund, Red Star Belgrade and Braga were all unable to cope with the atmosphere, and although Dortmund did draw, they were two goals short on aggregate. And the question for punters will be, have the bookies underestimated what impact that can have and overestimated Domenico Tedesco's team.
RB Leipzig have already gone to Italy and Spain and won on both occasions in this competition with away victories over Atalanta and Real Sociedad.
And there's a real argument they play better away from home because teams open up to them, which suits their rapid, one-touch, counter-attacks.
They had to play on Monday night at Borussia Monchengladbach and they looked leggy, sluggish and lacked ideas in a dismal 3-1 defeat against ten men.
While Rangers won plenty of plaudits for their second half performance at Celtic in the Old Firm game, although it will surely ultimately cost them the title.
How the bookies view it
You need to go back to Pedro Caixinha days to see any Rangers team at 27/10 for a home game at Ibrox, but that's what BetVictor has them at. They've been cut from 3/1 though at the start of the week.
RB Leipzig have been eased to evens in most places, although Coral are sticking their necks out at 21/20. The draw is 13/5 with William Hill.
Rangers are 9/2 to qualify with UniBet and the Germans are just 1/7.
Recent head to heads
Just the one meeting between the sides and the hosts left it late before getting the only goal in a narrow win last week as can be seen below.
Players to watch
Fashion Sakala can either look lost or like a world-beater, but he's scored dome important goals like against Celtic on Sunday and would surely do a better job at worrying the Germans than Scott Wright managed in the first leg, assuming Kemar Roofe doesn't make it. The Zambian international is 12/5 with Paddy Piwer to net on Thursday.
Christopher Nkunku somehow missed an open goal last week when he rounded Allan McGregor before slicing the ball wide. He simply cannot play as poorly again and looks a good price at 9/5 with Paddy Power again to score, as he did on Monday night with a classy finish.
Anything else catch the eye?
Rangers look far too big here at a bouncing Ibrox and they can at least get a draw, which of course wouldn't be enough. They are worth backing on the double chance at 10/11 with William Hill.
The hosts are surely far too savvy to go all guns blazing and expose themselves to the Bundesloga cracks, but there is every chance there could be plenty of drama here. It's far from impossible Rangers could score two goals here – after all, they've managed it in their last five home European games and the 39/20 price with UniBet is worth an investment.
Nkunku is a class act for the visitors and if they are to score, he's your man at that stated price of 9/5.
This UEFA Europa League match between Rangers and RB Leipzig will be played on May 5, 2022 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Rangers vs RB Leipzig prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
Some huge prices on the Rangers game for players to be booked anytime. If player doesn’t start, stake will be refunded.
Aribo @ 9/1
Lundstram @ 11/1
Kamara @ 14/1
Sakala @ 14/1
Tavernier to score and be booked @ 50/1
Considering Tav hits the penalties, I think 50/1 is a great bet.
All prices with Unibet/888sport