Will Rangers repeat last year’s success?

Almost exactly a year ago, PSV from Eindhoven and Glasgow Rangers also faced each other in the decisive playoffs for entry into the Champions League group stage. The Scots prevailed thanks to a 1-0 away win in the Netherlands and advanced to the main draw of the top flight. The match was preceded by a 2-2 draw in the first leg at Ibrox Stadium.

It’s definitely a curious duplication of events, as this year’s playoff first leg between these two clubs also ended in a 2-2 draw. Similar to last year, the “Boeren” will nevertheless be given the better chances of advancing once again on Wednesday evening.

Instead, if you want to bet on the 2022 Europa League finalists repeating their success from last season, you can pick up odds of almost 4.00 at the top in the clash between PSV Eindhoven and Glasgow Rangers on the Scots advancing.

Although in our eyes between PSV Eindhoven and Glasgow Rangers the distribution of the odds thus turns out to be too one-sided, there are naturally some arguments that make the pendulum swing more in the direction of the Red-Whites.

In addition to the home advantage and the possibly higher quality of the individual players, the impressions from the first match a week ago must also be cited. Despite leading twice, the “Gers” were very well served with the lucky draw.

PSV Eindhoven – statistics & current form

The people in charge of PSV Eindhoven deserve a lot of praise. Currently, it seems as if the newcomers are integrating perfectly and fit perfectly with the style of play of the new coach Peter Bosz. The individual cogs fit together well and the preparation went almost without a hitch.

Noa Lang, who came from Bruges, has already provided important accents in the offensive game and should compensate for the painful departure of Xavi Simons, Sergino Dest is set on the left side of the four-man backline from the start and also players like Pepi, Schouten and especially De Jong back-up Vertessen, who returned after a successful loan from St. Union Gilloise, give the “Boeren” a remarkable width, which is inevitable especially in view of the double load.

PSV still unbeaten this season

The positive findings are incidentally also reflected in the results. Bosz’s team has played six competitive matches so far and celebrated five victories. In the third qualifying round for the Champions League, Sturm Graz were impressively put in their place with a 7:2 win in the first and second legs. In the domestic league, they have six points after two matches (5:1 goals) and were also victorious in the national Super Cup final against Feyenoord.

With the 2-2 draw in the first leg in Glasgow also a success and a performance that inspires confidence for the upcoming second leg, the mood at the 24-time Dutch champions is extremely positive at the moment. The confidence is at boiling point and the belief to return to the biggest possible club football stage in Europe for the first time since 2018/19 is extremely strong.

How does Bosz react to the injury woes in the defense?

For this reason, among others, we can understand why PSV Eindhoven are favorites against Glasgow Rangers according to the odds. Nevertheless, the isolated 1.55 offered on Bet3000’s three-way market does not include any real value.

Personnel-wise, coach Bosz may have to improvise a bit, as both central defenders Ramalho and Boscagli got injured in the first leg. The former will probably be fit in time, and in place of Boscagli, Schouten could move into the defensive center as a skilled six. However, the offensive trio of de Jong, Lang and Bakayoko in particular will cause the Rangers defense immense problems.

Predicted lineup of PSV Eindhoven:
Benitez; Teze, Ramalho, Schouten, Dest; Veerman, Sangare; Bakayoko, Saibari, Lang; De Jong

Glasgow Rangers – statistics & current form

For the second consecutive season, Glasgow Rangers are targeting a place in the CL group stage. Last season, on the way to the elite circle of 32 participants Royale Union St. Gilloise and then PSV from Eindhoven were defeated. This year, Servette Geneva was eliminated in the third qualifying round, and now the top team from the Netherlands awaits again.

The experience at the Philips’ Sport Vereniging has been thoroughly positive. After all, a year ago Rangers scored a surprising 1-0 away win at the actually stronger rated favorites. Just how unexpected that victory actually was becomes clear when we take a closer look at the “Gers”‘ recent away record in the European Cup.

Away games remain Rangers dilemma

Although the traditional club from Scotland famously reached the final of the UEFA Europa League in 2022 (defeat by Eintracht Frankfurt), only one (!) of their last nine away games at international level has been victorious. The blue-white-and-red team scored just three goals in these nine matches at opposing stadiums.

In view of the inferred and well-founded away weakness, it might be the better choice for Wednesday to play the odds on the home win in the match PSV Eindhoven vs. Glasgow Rangers. Already in the third qualifying round, the Scots were trailing 0:1 in Geneva in the meantime and only with difficulty prevented a defeat.

The reigning Dutch Cup winner is now a completely different caliber, especially since the team of coach Michael Beale also in the league with two wins and one defeat from three games did not come out of the starting blocks optimally and performance-wise there is still a lot of room for improvement.

Predicted lineup of Glasgow Rangers:
Butland; Tavernier, Goldson, Souttar, Barisic; Raskin, Jack, Cifuentes; Cantwell; Sima, Dessers

PSV Eindhoven – Glasgow Rangers Direct comparison / H2H record

There have now been nine meetings between PSV Eindhoven and Glasgow Rangers. A prediction on the Scots would have paid off in four of those. There have also been four draws and only one PSV win. After seven matches in the Champions League, the “Rood-Witten” are even still waiting for their first full success against Rangers.

In the previous week, however, the Bosz team was close. Despite having more chances, more possession and more finishes, the Dutch fell behind twice, but also equalized twice and now have an excellent starting position for the second leg, in which the spell against the Scots should finally be broken.

PSV Eindhoven – Glasgow Rangers Tip

On paper, the clash between the Dutch runners-up and cup winners and the Scottish runners-up is the most prestigious clash in this year’s Champions League playoffs. The match will be even more explosive because the teams already faced each other last season in the deciding round for one of the last places in the group stage.

On that occasion, the “Gers” retained the upper hand thanks to a 1-0 away win. On Wednesday, however, it would be a huge surprise if Michael Beale’s side can hold out again. PSV Eindhoven and Glasgow Rangers are offering odds of 6.00 on an away win in regulation time.

We also see the Bosz team in the role of favorites, arguing on the one hand with the strong performance a week ago at Ibrox and on the other hand with the so far almost flawless season that the red and white play. Offensively, de Jong and Co leave a super impression, with the exception of the 2:2 in the first leg, all other competitive matches were won.

Given that the 2022 Europa League finalists are traditionally stronger at home than away and have only won one of their last nine international away games, we’re pushing for a home win in the PSV Eindhoven vs Glasgow Rangers clash, which we’re still combining with the Over 1.5 to get a more appealing 1.72 as total odds.