The UEFA Champions League third qualifying round pits Scottish giants Rangers against Czech outfit Viktoria Plzen at Ibrox on Tuesday, with a place in the competition proper now tantalisingly close for both sides.
Russell Martin’s Gers began their UEFA Champions League campaign with a 3-1 aggregate defeat of Panathinaikos in July, whilst Viktoria came from 2-0 down on aggregate to win 3-2 against Servette, via an impressive performance in Switzerland last week.
Now, there are a couple more hurdles left to navigate. Victory in this third qualifying round clash will set up a meeting with Salzburg or Club Brugge for one final showdown in the play-offs.
The Sporting News has you covered with a full preview and the latest tips and odds for this one, as Rangers prepare to try and make the main Champions League group stage.
MORE: Latest betting news and insights from The Sporting News here
Rangers vs. Viktoria Plzen Champions League prediction
Russell Martin lambasted his players after they shared a 1-1 draw with Motherwell at Fir Park on the opening weekend of the Scottish Premiership campaign, and he will expect a performance and a reaction this week.
Rangers are rightly viewed as favourites and siding with the Gers currently pays 11/10 with Betfair, while Viktoria are out at 5/2 with a draw priced up at 27/10.
The Sporting News' Score Prediction: Rangers 2-1 Viktoria Plzen
- Rangers are rated as a 47.6% implied chance to beat Viktoria Plzen by Betfair for this Champions League qualifier.
- Learn more about reading odds, different types of bets and the best online betting sites through our how to bet on football guide
Rangers vs. Viktoria Plzen predicted lineups
Rangers predicted lineup (4-3-3, right to left)
- Butland (GK) — Tavernier, Djiga, Souttar, Aarons — Diomande, Rothwell, Raskin — Dowell, Dessers, Gassama
Injured: Sterling (Achilles), Igamane (doubt), Aasgaard (doubt)
Suspended: None
Viktoria Plzen predicted lineup (3-5-2, right to left)
- Wiegele (GK) — Dweh, Markovic, Jemelka — Havel, Doski, Cerv, Spacil — Sulc — Vydra, Durosinmi
Injured: J. Spacil (doubt)
Suspended: Zeljkovic
Rangers vs. Viktoria Plzen latest odds, correct score betting
Our 2-1 prediction is at good odds with Bet365, but there are plenty of other possible score lines that are worth looking at to add some value. Here's some of the most likely
Result | Odds* |
Draw 1-1 | 9/2 |
Rangers 1-0 | 11/2 |
Rangers 2-1 | 6/1 |
Rangers 2-0 | 15/2 |
Viktoria Plzen 1-0 | 15/2 |
*Click odds to bet direct with our selected partners. Odds correct at time of publish.
Back your correct score pick with Bet365 for £30 in free bets from a £10 stake
Rangers vs. Viktoria Plzen team news
- Russell Martin is likely to keep it as similar as possible to the side that defeated Panathinaikos over two legs, despite being heavily critical of his players against Motherwell in the SPL opener at the weekend. He has a decision to make up front with Cyriel Dessers pushing for a start.
- Viktoria Plzen head to Scotland without central midfielder Adrian Zeljkovic, after the Slovenia U21 international was sent off against Servette last week and so he is now missing through suspension.
Rangers vs. Viktoria Plzen Bet Builder tips
Our bet builder for this clash has Rangers to win and Both Teams To Score, plus Rangers to have most corners available at time of writing at 8/1 with Bet365.
You can check out the latest odds and bet direct with our selected partners using the bet builder tool below.
How to watch Rangers vs. Viktoria Plzen: Live stream, TV channel
- Date: Tuesday, August 5
- Venue: Ibrox, Glasgow, Scotland
- Time: 7:45 p.m. BST
- TV/Stream: N/A