Will Brøndby take their last chance to progress?
In the Europa League group stage 2021/22 there is currently exactly one team still waiting for the first goal after three matchdays. We are talking about Brøndby Kopenhagen. Thanks to a 0-0 draw, the Danish title holders have actually scored one more point than goals. However, this does not change the fact that the yellow-blue team is at the bottom of Group A.
On Thursday, coach Niels Frederiksen’s team will be fighting for the last chance to possibly get into the race for second place. The prerequisite for this, however, is without a doubt a home win against their immediate neighbours in the standings. If we believe the odds before the second leg between Brøndby Copenhagen and Glasgow Rangers, then the home side’s prospects are merely theoretical.
In view of the impressions so far in this group stage and the poor performance of the northern Europeans in the first leg a fortnight ago in Scotland, when the first leg was deservedly lost 2-0, it is quite understandable that the prediction of many experts is more in the direction of the visitors between Brøndby and Glasgow Rangers. It will also be interesting to see whether the Danes remain without a goal once again?
Brøndby Copenhagen – Statistics & current form
When you consider that the reigning Danish champions, Brøndby IF, narrowly missed out on the UEFA Champions League play-offs after two 2-1 defeats to RB Salzburg, it comes as something of a surprise that the yellow-blues have so far failed to get a leg up in the Europa League.
A 0-0 draw at home to Sparta Prague on matchday one was followed by a 3-0 defeat in Lyon and a 2-0 loss at Glasgow Rangers a fortnight ago. The chances for one of the first two places have noticeably decreased, although the Scandinavians could optimally draw level on points with the second-placed team from Prague after the matchday on Thursday. For that to happen, however, they will need a home win against the Scottish title holders.
Finally score the first goal in the fourth attempt?
Hope exists insofar as coach Niels Frederiksen’s team is far stronger at home than away. This thesis is underlined on the one hand by the aforementioned draw in the opening match against Sparta Prague, but also by the good home results at national level. Copenhagen collected 14 of their 21 points at home. Only one of seven home games was lost in the Superligaen.
But because it is still risky to bet on the home side in the Brøndby Copenhagen vs. Glasgow Rangers clash, we take an alternative look at the goal market and see that the majority of the Yellow and Blue’s matches this season have resulted in a maximum of two goals. The harmless attack, which after 270 minutes in the group phase is still waiting for its first own goal, adds to the problem. Consequently, we don’t expect many goals on Thursday evening either.
Predicted line-up of Brøndby Kopenhagen:
Mikkelsen; Mensah, Tshiembe, Maxso, Bruus; Divkovic, Frendrup, Radosevic, Cappis; Hedlund, Divkovic
Last matches played by Brøndby Kopenhagen:
Superleague
10/31 2021 – Viborg 0 – 1 Brøndby Kopenhagen
Danish Cup
10/28 2021 – Aalborg Freja 0 – 3 Brøndby Kopenhagen
Superleague
10/24 2021 – Brøndby Copenhagen 2 – 1 FC Copenhagen
Europa League Grp. A
10/21 2021 – Rangers 2 – 0 Brøndby Kopenhagen
Superleague
10/17 2021 – Brøndby Copenhagen 3 – 2 Vejle Boldklub
Glasgow Rangers – Statistics & current form
Glasgow Rangers are preparing to win the championship in Scotland for the second time in a row this season. After many years of Celtic dominance, Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard’s side have now overtaken their arch-rivals to become the country’s number one again. The Gers currently have a four-point lead over the Bhoys in the Premiership standings.
In the international arena, the Blue-White-Red will not be completely satisfied with their performance so far, because after three match days they have just three points in Group A. Before the aforementioned 2-0 first leg win at home to Brøndby IF, Rangers lost 1-0 at Sparta Prague and 2-0 at home to group leaders Olympique Lyon.
Glasgow without defeat since the end of September
If the eye is to continue towards the knockout stages, it would be hugely significant should the prediction of Scottish success pay off again on Thursday night between Brøndby and Glasgow Rangers. At least the fans of the “Teddy Bears” cannot complain about their current condition. The Gerrard eleven has not lost a competitive match in over a month. The dress rehearsal for the important Europa League match also went according to plan thanks to a 6:1 away win at Motherwell.
However, such a high result involving the “Gers” is rather the exception in the current season. In all five Europa League matches in 2021/22 (group stage + qualification), a maximum of two goals were scored. In total, only three teams in more than 20 matches managed to overcome the backline of the Scottish title holders more than once in 90 minutes. Thanks to the usually stable defence and the important nature of Thursday night’s away game between Brøndby Copenhagen and Glasgow Rangers, the odds on the under 2.5 again include attractive value.
Predicted line-up of Glasgow Rangers:
McGregor; Tavernier, Barisic, Balogun, Bassey; Davis, Lundstram, Aribo; Roofe, Hagi, Morelos
Last matches played by Glasgow Rangers:
Premiership
10/31 2021 – Motherwell 1 – 6 Rangers
10/27 2021 – Rangers 2 – 2 Aberdeen
10/24 2021 – St Mirren 1 – 2 Rangers
Europa League Grp. A
10/21 2021 – Rangers 2 – 0 Brøndby Kopenhagen
Premiership
10/16 2021 – Rangers 1 – 1 Hearts
Brøndby Copenhagen – Glasgow Rangers Direct comparison / H2H record
Although both clubs actually have quite a long and also successful tradition in the European Cup, the direct clash a fortnight ago at the Ibrox Stadium (2-0 for Rangers) was actually the very first encounter ever. Leon Balogun and Kemar Roofe’s two goals in the first half hour gave Rangers an early decision. What followed was tactical banter without any major highlights. It is quite possible that the spectators present in the Danish capital on Thursday will not get their money’s worth either in terms of goals and beautiful offensive actions.
Brøndby Copenhagen – Glasgow Rangers Tip
In Group A, a potentially landmark clash will take place on Thursday evening from 18:45. If the betting odds are right in the match between Brøndby Copenhagen and Glasgow Rangers and the Danes lose out, as they did in the first leg a fortnight ago, they will have to bury their hopes of finishing in the top two.
Even though the good bookmakers are treating them as underdogs, Frederiksen’s eleven will not be without a chance, especially as the yellow-blue team is quite competitive at home and usually performs much better than away from home. In advance, therefore, it might be worth considering betting on the double chance 1X.
Betting on a maximum of two goals in the course of the match between Brøndby Copenhagen and Glasgow Rangers is even more attractive. Among other things, the fact that the Danes have not yet scored a goal speaks for the under 2.5. In addition, all five of the Gers’ EL matches this season have ended with a maximum of two goals.
Given the importance of the match, both teams will not take any incalculable risks and will instead be anxious not to fall behind early on. A tactical match without many offensive highlights could be the logical consequence. At Unibet, we get a 2.04 in the tip for this, which we play with five units.
