After a pulsating first leg in Belgium, Rangers welcome Antwerp to Ibrox in the second leg of their Last 32 tie in 2020-21 UEFA Europa League.
Rangers know that a draw or victory will see them progress after running out 4-3 winners in the first leg, whereas Antwerp have to win to stand any chance or progressing or hope for a 4-4 draw in order to advance on the away goals rule.
Team News
Ryan Jack is ruled out for Rangers after suffering a calf injury in Sunday’s 4-1 win over Dundee United.
James Tavernier (knee) and Kemar Roofe (calf) are ruled out, whilst Bongani Zungu, Nathan Patterson and Calvin Bassey remain in quarantine after breaching Coronavirus protocols.
Antwerp could welcome Didier Lamkel Ze back into the starting eleven after he missed last week’s match through suspension.
Faris Haroun (calf) and Dylan Batubinsika (ankle) are doubts but Alexis De Sart, Jean Butez (both unspecified) and Abdoulaye Seck (suspension) are ruled out.
Stat Attack
- Rangers prevailed in their only previous clash against Antwerp, prevailing 4-3 in the first leg last week.
- Antwerp have lost each of their two previous away trips in UEFA competitions to Scottish opposition, despite scoring twice on both occasions but lost by an aggregate total of 10-4.
- Rangers are unbeaten in four home meetings against Belgian opposition (W4), although they have kept just one clean sheet in those four clashes.
- Antwerp has won two of their three Europa League away matches this season with two goals scored in both victories via Pieter Gerkens and Lior Refaelov.
- Scott Arfield has scored in three of Rangers’ four Europa League home games this season.
Prediction
Having scored four goals in the first leg despite poor defending for all three conceded goals, Rangers will be pleased to have followed that performance up with a strong win on Sunday despite weathering a tough test provided by Dundee Utd to give them strong momentum coming into this match.
Antwerp will certainly be disappointed with their defensive effort last week because their awful away form against Scottish opposition is certainly a worry, especially if their defending hasn’t improved on the first leg despite showing excellent attacking intent.
I therefore am expecting a tough match here between two evenly matched teams but I can’t see past Rangers for the win if can tighten up their back lines, particularly given how poor Antwerp seem to fare in Scotland.
Prediction: Rangers 2-1 Antwerp
Result: Rangers 5-2 Antwerp (Rangers win 9-5 on aggregate)
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