Maribor – Rangers Prediction & Picks (16.08.2018)

Maribor and Glasgow Rangers face each other in Ljudski vrt, in a return match of this phase of the UEFA Europa League (3rd Qualifying Round), after in the first leg Glasgow Rangers won at home (3-1). In this game the home factor may be decisive, as Maribor presents considerable differences in their results at home and as a visitor.

Maribor:

Despite the disadvantage of 2 goals in the first leg, the home team will try to take advantage of having scored 1 goal away in that match. This is a team that usually gets better results in away matches than at home, since in the last 30 matches they register 12 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss in away matches, with 53 goals scored and 9 conceded; against 10 wins, 3 draws and 2 losses at their stadium, with 35 goals scored and 13 conceded. In the last match they played, for 1. SNL, they beat Gorica at home by (5-0). In the last 10 home matches Maribor has won 7 draws and 3 draws. The defense was strong and only suffered goals in 1 of the last 5 matches, and their offense scored regularly, since they have scored goals in 4 of the last 5 matches for this competition. In the last 5 home matches for all competitions there is 1 period that stands out: they have scored 4 of their 9 goals between minutes (76′-90 ‘).

The Maribor comes to this game with a home win against Gorica, 5-0, adding the third win in the last four games played. During that period, the Slovenians added a snub, precisely, in the first leg of this tie, against Rangers, 3-1. Despite playing away from home, coach Darko Milanic must take the field to a team aiming a more direct football, looking for a counterattack to take advantage of the space in the back of the opponent’s defense: Luka Zahovic can be fundamental in this type of Transition. Absent due to injury are Dourica, Denis Sme and Milec.

Glasgow Rangers:

The away team comes to this second leg with a 2-goal lead, but suffered 1 goal at home in the first leg. This is a team that usually maintains its competitive level in home and away matches, since in the last 30 matches he has 7 wins, 6 draws and 2 losses as a visitor; against 11 wins, 1 draw and 3 losses at their stadium. In the last match they played, for the Premier League, they won against St. Mirren at home (2-0). In the last 10 away matches Glasgow Rangers has won 3, tied 5 and lost 2. Their attack has scored regularly, since they have scored goals in 4 of the last 5 matches for this competition. In their away matches there is a tendency for goals, since 43 of the last 48 matches have ended with Over 1,5 goals.

The Rangers comes to this game with a victory over St. Mirren, 2-0, totaling in this way according to success followed in official matches, including the first leg of this tie of the Europa League. In this game away from home, the formation of the Rangers should play in 4-4-2, benefiting possession of the ball and organized attacks, looking in most cases for the advanced Alfredo Morelos: this player is very powerful and strong in the completion. For this game coach Steven Gerrard can not count on Jack, Rossiter, Dorrans and Wallace, all with physical problems.