Slavia Prague welcome Rangers to Sinobo Stadium in the first leg of their Round of 16 clash in 2020-21 UEFA Europa League.
Following their triumph over Leicester City in the Last 32, Slavia Prague have been rewarded with another clash against British Isles opposition as they take on Rangers who knocked out Antwerp in two dramatic ties in the previous round.
Team News
Michal Beran is a doubt for Slavia Prague with an unspecified injury.
David Hovorka (knee), Petr Sevcik (ligament) and Ibrahim Traore (unspecified) look set to remain absent.
Rangers manager, Steven Gerrard could hand Kemar Roofe a start after the English striker was declared fit after recovering from a calf injury.
Ryan Jack (calf) and James Tavernier (knee) are still absent although Gerrard has refused to rule out Jack returning for the second leg next week.
Stat Attack
- This is Slavia Prague’s first-ever meeting against Rangers in all competitions.
- Rangers are winless in four previous away trips to Czech Republic opposition in all UEFA competitions (D1, L3).
- Slavia have won each of their two previous home matches against Scottish opposition, beating St Mirren and Hearts 1-0 in 1985-86 and 92-93 UEFA Cup respectively but lost both ties overall on aggregate.
- All three of Borna Barisic’s Europa League goals for Rangers this season came from the penalty spot in their wins over Antwerp in the last round.
- Slavia Prague have kept clean sheets in four of their five home matches in all UEFA competitions this season
Prediction
Slavia Prague have proven themselves to be a difficult team to beat at home but they are in for a difficult test against Rangers who has scored 23 Europa League goals this season, and there is no reason why they can’t just focus on this competition now their Scottish Premiership title has been finalised.
I therefore am expecting to see Slavia opt for another robust defensive display at home here and potentially the counter-attack strategy, otherwise I fancy Rangers to end their Czech Republic hoodoo here ahead of the return leg next Thursday.
Slavia though will have other ideas after pulling off one of the surprise wins of the last round but I really can’t see Rangers losing this given their form, and instead trying to get the early edge on away goals.
Prediction: Slavia Prague 1-1 Rangers
Result: Slavia Prague 1-1 Rangers