Rangers vs Union Saint Gilloise Predictions

• Both teams have scored in five of Rangers’ last six Europa League matches
• Both teams have scored in nine of Union Saint-Gilloise’s last 12 games
• Union Saint-Gilloise have lost only one of their last eight matches

Ibrox set to host a thriller

Rangers are guaranteed the top-24 finish required to reach the knockout phase of the Europa League but that looks set to be a playoff place after last Thursday’s 2-1 defeat away at Manchester United.

But Gers will want to be seeded for the two-legged knockout phase and that should ensure that they give their all against Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise who, like the hosts, have amassed 11 points from their seven Europa League matches.

The visitors are on a roll, having won three Europa League matches in a row against Twente, Nice and Braga, and they can play their part in what should be an entertaining Ibrox encounter.

Both teams have scored in five of Rangers’ seven Europa League assignments and their only exceptions came in wins to nil over Malmo and FCSB.

However, Union Saint-Gilloise have every right to be feeling optimistic given they have suffered only one defeat in their last 18 matches in all competitions and they are in the healthiest place they have been all season.

Gers unlikely to have things all their own way

The visitors’ wins over Nice and Braga read especially well while they also held Roma to a 1-1 draw and netted in a 2-1 defeat at Turkish giants Fenerbahce earlier in the competition.

So, with both sides possessing plenty of firepower yet Rangers weakened by a number of injury concerns and ineligible players, goals at each end look likely.

Philippe Clement’s side are notoriously strong at Ibrox, where they are unbeaten in 12 and have won five on the spin, but they have conceded in nine of their last 13 matches.

So get on goals in this closing group fixture and correct-score punters may want to side with a high-octane 2-2 draw.