Dortmund aim for decisive lead
Do you know who the bookies currently have as top favourites to win the Europa League this season? That’s right. Borussia Dortmund. Not the great FC Barcelona, multiple winners Sevilla, RB Leipzig, Napoli or Atalanta Bergamo, but the current second-placed team in the Bundesliga. In the event of success, only € 6.50 would be returned for one euro wagered.
But before coach Marco Rose’s side can actually contemplate the idea of making a deep run in Europe’s second most important club competition, they must first get the reigning Scottish champions out of the way in the intermediate round. If we believe the odds between Dortmund and Glasgow Rangers, then this endeavour – at least in front of a home crowd – seems to be a mere formality.
The Black and Yellows are the clear favourites ahead of the match, which kicks off at 18:45 on Thursday evening at Signal Iduna Park. Quotes of 1.40 at the top on the home win underline this assessment, which is primarily based on the fact that BVB, as a Champions League relegation team that is usually strong at home, will be keen to establish a good starting position for the return match.
Dortmund – Statistics & current form
Borussia Dortmund is a real surprise package these days and weeks. Weak performances, such as the cup defeat at St. Pauli and the home defeat to Leverkusen, alternate with strong performances, such as the 3-0 win against Union Berlin at the weekend. Consequently, placing bets on BVB is associated with a certain risk.
In the upcoming Europa League first leg in the intermediate round against Rangers, however, the chances are pretty good from the Bundesliga club’s point of view. On the one hand, because their self-confidence has been given a huge boost by the aforementioned success against the Eisern. On the other hand, because of their traditional home strength in international competition.
In the current Champions League season, for example, the Black and Yellows celebrated victories against Besiktas (5:0) and Sporting Lisbon (1:0). In 2019/20 and 2020/21, they even remained unbeaten in eight of nine home games at European level and only conceded a narrow defeat in the quarter-finals of the previous year against the superior Citizens. Their home strength is also evident in the Bundesliga, where they have won nine of their eleven games at home. Six of these nine victories came with at least a two-goal difference
Dortmund have an appetite for the Europa League
Because those responsible now place a high value on the Europa League after the elimination from the top flight as well as the disgraceful knockout in the DFB Pokal, we are convinced that Borussia will start positively in their first EL match since the 2017/18 season. The bookmakers agree with this assessment, which is why a prediction of success for the home side is considered the most likely outcome between Dortmund and Glasgow Rangers.
In terms of personnel, the biggest question mark remains behind Erling Haaland. If the Norwegian superstar is not yet available after his muscle injury, Gio Reyna could move into the starting eleven.
It would be a special match for the young American, as Rangers coach van Bronckhorst is on friendly terms with the Reyna family, has known his young namesake since birth and follows his sporting career. It will also be important that captain Reus can produce a similar performance to his recent brace against Union Berlin.
Predicted Dortmund line-up:
Kobel; Akanji, Zagadou, Hummels, Guerreiro; Bellingham, Witsel, Dahoud; Reus, Brandt, Haaland
Last matches played by Dortmund:
1st Bundesliga
02/13 2022 – Union Berlin 0 – 3 Borussia Dortmund
02/06 2022 – Borussia Dortmund 2 – 5 Bayer Leverkusen
01/22 2022 – Hoffenheim 2 – 3 Borussia Dortmund
DFB Cup
01/18 2022 – St. Pauli 2 – 1 Borussia Dortmund
1st Bundesliga
01/14 2022 – Borussia Dortmund 5 – 1 SC Freiburg
Glasgow Rangers – Statistics & current form
The 2021/22 international adventure began for the Scottish champions in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League. However, Rangers were defeated by Swedish side Malmo in the first and second legs and subsequently failed to progress to the group stage of the top flight.
Because they at least managed to win the EL play-offs against underdog Alashkert, the “Gers” were able to compete in a group with Lyon, Sparta Prague and Brøndby IF. With only eight points and a balanced win-loss record (2-2-2), they finished second after six games. Six goals scored, however, prove that the Scots did not cover themselves with glory, but rather cheated their way towards the intermediate round.
Will Rangers keep their chances alive for the second leg?
Accounting for the performances of the “Teddy Bears” so far, there are few arguments to suggest that a prediction on the guest could pay off on Thursday night between Dortmund and Glasgow Rangers. This, in turn, does not come as much of a surprise, especially since the Blue-White-Reds have not advanced beyond the last 16 of an international competition since 2007/08. The former European Cup Winners’ Cup winners have thus lost much of their excellent reputation in European business in recent years.
Recent results show that Rangers are clearly weaker away from home than at home. In the Scottish Premiership, they recently suffered a clear 3-0 defeat at the “Old Firm” to Celtic Glasgow. Before that, they only managed a 3-3 draw at Ross County. The second-placed team is the best home team in the league, but has already lost four times away from home. Too often to overtake current leaders Celtic Glasgow.
The aim of the team of coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who succeeded Steven Gerrard, must therefore be to keep the score as close to zero as possible for as long as possible and to lose by no more than one goal. If they fail to do so, their chances of advancing will dwindle. In view of the qualitative inferiority and the fact that none of the five international away games in 2021/22 has been won, betting on the underdog between Dortmund and Glasgow Rangers is out of the question.
Predicted line-up of Glasgow Rangers:
McGregor; Tavernier, Goldson, Balogun, Bassey; Kamara, Lundstram; Kent, Aribo, Arfield; Morelos
Last matches played by Glasgow Rangers:
FA Cup
02/12 2022 – Annan Athletic 0 – 3 Rangers
Premiership
02/09 2022 – Rangers 2 – 0 Hibernian
02/06 2022 – Rangers 5 – 0 Hearts
02/02 2022 – Celtic Glasgow 3 – 0 Rangers
01/29 2022 – Ross County 3 – 3 Rangers
Dortmund – Glasgow Rangers Tip
The draw ‘Glasgow Rangers’ comes as a perfect match for Borussia Dortmund. On the one hand, the Scottish champions have a famous name and a certain reputation in international football. On the other hand, the Gers have long since ceased to scare the footballing world. In the current Europa League group stage, too, Rangers collected only eight points and struggled to a lacklustre second place.
Although BVB has also had problems putting its own horsepower on the pitch from time to time in recent weeks and months, the higher individual quality, the home strength, especially in Europe, and the most recent impressions speak a clear language in favour of the Rose eleven. Ahead of the first leg between Dortmund and Glasgow Rangers, the lower betting odds on the home win are therefore perfectly understandable.
We even think that the Black and Yellows have a good chance of claiming a relatively clear victory, especially as the Scottish guests have recently had their problems away from home, especially defensively. Since BVB will not manage the result in case of a lead, but will continue to play forward to achieve a better starting position, we believe in a success with at least a two-goal difference.
