On Thursday night, Scottish giants Rangers will continue their quest for a place in the group stages of the Europa League, as Steven Gerrard’s side host Niedercorn in the second qualifying round first leg of the competition.
Although their boss has a history of European glory, lifting the Champions League trophy back in 2005, the Scottish giants have struggled to make an impact in European competition of late. Last season the Gers won just one of their six games in the group stages of the Europa League.
However, they have at least made a positive start this season’s campaign by hammering St Georges of Gibraltar 10-0 on aggregate in the last round. Niedercorn should offer the Scottish side a slightly tougher challenge.
Although Rangers have not been great in this competition in recent seasons, the Gers have a strong record on home soil in the Europa League. In fact, they are ten games unbeaten at home dating back to 2011.
Niedercorn are no strangers to Rangers, as the two teams also met in this competition last season, with the Scottish team recording a 3-0 aggregate win over the side from Luxembourg.
Ironically, both of Niedercorn’s previous opponents in the competition were from Britain and Ireland, as they saw off Cardiff MU and also Cork City in the last round. Neither tie saw the visitors record a comfortable win. Rangers are of a superior quality to their previous two opponents, so progression from this tie could be difficult.
Niedercorn have been wildly inconsistent in the Europa League since making their debut in the competition back in 2015. A record of just three wins in their last nine matches in Europe’s secondary competition is not a great one.
Keeping with poor records and the visitors have lost seven of their nine matches on their travels in the Europa League. Forebet predicts that their away record will not get any better in this tie and that Rangers will record a comfortable win in a high-scoring encounter.