Corona, Corona, Corona – hardly any previous report on sporting events lacks this topic these days. The virus paralyzes large parts of the sports world and also has an impact between the Glasgow Rangers and Leverkusen for a forecast. The spectators in Scotland are a big plus for the troops from the island anyway.
The hot-blooded supporters create an atmospheric floodlit atmosphere in which the Werkself have to survive in the first leg on Thursday. Now there is also the disadvantage that the Bundesliga club has to play the return leg in a week at home before empty ranks.
It is therefore urgent for Peter Bosz’s protégés to take a good result home with them, so as not to be under too much pressure in the ghost game.
Bayer can only count on the support of the fans in Scotland – some supporters have made their way to the north of the United Kingdom, despite the health situation.
In order to focus on sports, it is important to clearly state that the Germans have playful advantages and are therefore rated as favorites by the best bookmakers. Between the Glasgow Rangers and Leverkusen, the odds for a tip on the away win are just over 2.00.
In the odds comparison of the betting base it can also be seen that the bet with bets on a quarter-final entry of the Scots can be quadrupled. But the Rangers feel comfortable in the outsider role and especially in the home Ibrox Park they will give the Werkself a bitter fight.
Glasgow Rangers:
After a 2-2 deficit, the Rangers were able to turn the game against Sporting Braga in the first leg of the intermediate round and ultimately win 3-2. In the second leg there was a 1-0 win in the Felsenstadion and the move into the round of 16 was made perfect. This encounter showed what is possible in the Ibrox Park at home with the fans in the back.
This should be a warning for the Bundesliga team. The team of coach Steven Gerrard is certainly much weaker than the Werkself in terms of play. In the league, the blues and whites are in second place behind city rival Celtic and the gap is considerable with 13 points.
The team, like the leader, only conceded 19 goals, but scored 25 fewer goals. The offensive is the big problem, which has become clear in the past few weeks. Four times in a row, a game with Glasgow’s participation ended 1-0.
The Rangers won twice (against Braga and Ross County last weekend), but twice (at Hearts and at home against Hamilton) as losers. Ryan Kent was the big match winner in both successes.
The 23-year-old attacker is probably the most dangerous player in the Scots squad and has to be guarded particularly well. Otherwise, Gerrard’s team is very competitive and will try to keep the strong opponent at bay with running work, duel strength and willpower.
The space available in Ibrox Park certainly suits the hosts, and UEFA has ordered that the final training, which is actually mandatory, be canceled due to the bad turf, which is why Bayer will later travel to the island. How long the place will last will also depend on the weather conditions.
The bottom line, of course, is that the bad run is more of an argument to make the forecast towards the home side between the Glasgow Rangers and Leverkusen.
Leverkusen :
In the shadow of the top three in the Bundesliga (Bayern, Dortmund and Leipzig), Bayer 04 Leverkusen has blossomed into one of the best-form teams in the German upper house. The Werkself have won ten of the twelve competitive games in 2020 so far.
Only in Hoffenheim (1: 2 despite good performance) and at league leaders Leipzig (1: 1) were there no three’s to cheer for Peter Bosz’s charges. The team is still dancing at three weddings and has won a lot in the DFB Cup with Saarbrücken, which makes it very likely to reach the final.
The Bundesliga club would also like to cause furore internationally. In the intermediate round, FC Porto was thrown out of the competition with two well-deserved wins. At the weekend, Eintracht from Frankfurt had to believe in the league and went 4-0 in the BayArena.
The brilliant offensive around Kai Havertz and Moussa Diaby is in full swing. Even the young Paulinho, who was once again in the starting line-up against the Adler, immediately convinced with a double pack and can hope for further periods on Thursday.
Kevin Volland’s retirement is not that important at the moment, even if a fighter type like the “Swabian tractor” would be worth gold on Thursday. Accordingly, the loss of Sven Bender is difficult, which had to be replaced injured against Frankfurt in halftime 1. For him Jonathan Tah should move into the starting line-up.
Otherwise, no major changes are expected. Leon Bailey could possibly contest Paulinho’s place, the duel-strong Baumgartlinger is set in the headquarters – also because Amiri is still injured. Basically, the team of Peter Bosz on Thursday has to find the right balance.
Of course, the fight against the Scots must be accepted, but also your own strength, namely the safe combination game, should not be neglected despite the poor space conditions. If this succeeds, then between Glasgow Rangers and Leverkusen the tip on the guests is clearly the right choice and an away win is most likely.
