Football Bet of the Day: Rangers can make a point in Malmo

Plenty of Europa League action is in store on Thursday with nine more games as UEFA's second-tier tournament completes Matchday One in its revamped format.

British interest comes from Tottenham and Rangers, with Ange Postecoglou's side at home to Qarabag and Philippe Clement taking the Light Blues to Malmo.

Games between Roma and Athletic Bilbao as well as Lyon and Olympiacos are intriguing but our football of the day for Thursday focuses on Rangers' trip to Sweden.

Malmo vs Rangers Odds

Malmo have home advantage over Rangers but, even so, it's going to be difficult for the Swedes to justify 13/10 favouritism and earn three points.

Rangers’ recent record in Europe shows them as a tough side to beat on the road on their day. Indeed, they are a difficult opponent to topple anywhere.

Three seasons ago, under Giovanni van Bronckhorst, the Glasgow outfit went all the way to the final of the Europa League.

They got a crucial away-day point in Lyon on Matchday Six to secure progress and then stunned Borussia Dortmund with a 4-2 away victory to help them advance to the last 16. Only penalties denied them in the final against Eintracht Frankfurt, after Ryan Kent somehow managed to hit goalkeeper Kevin Trapp with the game at his mercy late in extra-time.

Last season Rangers under Clement topped their Europa League group thanks to a Matchday Six win on the road at Real Betis. They got a fine draw in the last 16 at Benfica but were undone by a marginal offside call in the second leg at Ibrox.

Their attempt to qualify for the Champions League this season was on course after a 1-1 draw with Dynamo Kyiv in Poland, but it floundered when 20-year-old midfielder Jefte was harshly given a second booking at Hampden Park in the return game while it was scoreless.

Football Odds

Rangers were outclassed by Celtic at the start of this month but they have recorded four wins around that Parkhead defeat.

Malmo played six Champions League qualifiers before they dropped into this second tier. The Swedes managed only one win in 90 minutes and were beaten 2-0 home and away by Slavia Prague last month.

They are unbeaten in four games domestically since and clear at the top of the Allsvenskan but they won't take Rangers lightly, despite being unbeaten in four meetings with the Scottish visitors.

There has never been more than a goal in it and this looks like being a close call again, especially with Rangers being more gritty than pretty on the road.

Malmo have lost only two of their last 17 home games but their previous Europa League experience brought with it six losses and zero points. They also have plenty of injury worries here, including former Celtic striker Sead Haksabanovic.

Rangers haven't beaten Swedish opponents in six attempts previously and, while the wait may go on, they are capable of hanging tight and getting a point in Scandinavia in what could be a dreary affair.

Offers

Double Delight & Hat-Trick Heaven: Place a pre-match single bet on the first goalscorer market and get DOUBLE or TREBLE the odds if your winning First Goalscorer bet scores a 2nd and 3rd

Acca Flex: Place a pre-match 5+ leg Football accumulator and get a CASH bonus up to 100% if all of your selections win or your money back as CASH if one leg lets you down.

You can read our latest Football Bet of the Day at our dedicated Betfred Insights content hub.