Champions League: Glasgow Rangers vs. PSV Preview, Odds, Predictions, Picks

Glasgow Rangers and PSV met in last year’s UEFA Champions League playoffs, with the Scottish unit advancing to the group stage of the most prominent European competitions. The Gers were better in Eindhoven back then, shocking the rivals and making a big sensation at the time. For the moment, they aren’t playing good football and have problems establishing their game. Meanwhile, PSV is doing solid so far. The former European champs have posted nothing but triumphs since the year started, looking good in all the lines. 

Preview

Glasgow Rangers (+170) had more success on the international stage than in domestic competitions. The Gers were better than FC Copenhagen in the UEFA Champions League playoffs while struggling in the Scottish Premiership and the Scottish League Cup.

After 2-1 at home, Rangers went to Switzerland, where they played 1-1 against Servette, withstanding the pressure and securing at least the Europa League group stage. That won’t be enough for the Scots who want the Champions League, because it would fill their more or less empty bank account.

Rangers play unstable football, but that might be because they wanted to keep themselves ready for the UCL challenges. After losing the first round of the Scottish Premier League to Kilmarnock, 1-0, they beat the Gers, 4-0, and then Greenock Morton, 2-1, in the League Cup. 

PSV (+150) had a great intro for the upcoming contest in Scotland, beating Vitesse 1-3 on the road this Saturday, looking confident and very cohesive in all the areas on the pitch. 

The team from Eindhoven had five games since the competitive part of the campaign started, winning all of them, and looking more than dominant in each. Peter Bosz’s crew opened the year with a victory in the Dutch Super Cup, beating Feyenoord, 1-0, and after that, trashing Sturm in the UEFA Champions League. 

PSV was better at home, 4-1, then on the road, 1-3, and in between, the Dutch powerhouse routed Utrecth, 2-0. Bosz didn’t change Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s tactics and gameplan, using the system the former head coach left after deciding to hand in his resignation. 

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Ridvan Yilmaz and Ben DAvies are both out for the first contest. 

Frederik Oppegard, Armando Obispo and Mauro Junior are all questionable. 

Head to Head Games

As said earlier, the teams met in last year’s UEFA Champions League qualifiers, with the Gers having more success back then. After 2-2 in Glasgow, the second leg was in Eindhoven, where Rangers won with a minimal result, 0-1. Antonio Colak was the sole scorer in this one, netting after 60 minutes of play. 

Prediction

The Gers are very aggressive at home. That’s been their characteristic for the past several years, trying to use the home-field edge in the best possible way. We are sure the Scottish club won’t hesitate to attack from the first whistle. Meanwhile, PSV likes to impose his own tempo, regardless of the venue, and Bosz’s crew is oriented toward offense, so we expect to see goals in this clash. Both teams to net is priced at -175. That’s not too high, but not low as well, and we find it to be a decent offer.

Pick: Both teams to score -175