Sturm Graz vs Rangers Prediction: Martin’s worries to continue in Austria

It’s matchday two from the UEFA Europa League as Rangers travel to Austria and the home of Sturm Graz (TNT Sports 20:00). Both teams suffered defeats last time, ramping up the pressure on The Blacks and Gers.

Betfred’s Frank Monkhouse is here with his take on this one and his Sturm Graz vs Rangers Predictions...

Merkur Arena plays host to Sturm Graz vs Rangers in the second round of fixtures from this season’s UEFA Europa League. The home team lost 2-0 in Denmark to Midtjylland late last month, while Rangers suffered a pitiful 1-0 reverse when Belgian strugglers Genk came to Ibrox. With the pressure mounting, both managers need a win here, but which side will send their fans home happy?

Football Odds

Back-to-back defeats would push one of these teams further down the pecking order, severely hampering their chances of progressing to the knockout stages. The home side take confidence from a battling 1-0 win in the Austrian Bundesliga on Sunday afternoon, beating Hartberg 1-0. Rangers needed a late goal to better Livingston at Almondvale in the Premiership. Keep reading for our Sturm Graz vs Rangers preview and predictions.

Sturm Graz vs Rangers Odds

Sturm Graz may have lost their opening match in this competition, but they’re second in the Austrian Bundesliga, just two points behind Rapid Vienna with a game in hand over the pace-setters. The locals nicked a 1-0 at the weekend, taking their recent form to four wins and a defeat in their previous five. They’ve scored a dozen goals and conceded four in seven starts, which has impressed the Betfred traders. You can back the home win at 13/10.

Rangers continue to toil under unpopular manager Russell Martin. The former Southampton boss oversaw the worst start by a Rangers team in decades, and you’ll find the light blues down in eighth place with seven points on the board. Gers drew their first four, lost to Hearts at Ibrox, and needed a late goal to beat Livingston on the road. The away win won’t attract too much support, even at the 2/1 available on the Betfred app. A draw is 5/2.

Today's Football Fixtures

Under 3.5 goals @ 1/2

Our first bet in Graz on Thursday evening is for the match to produce fewer than four goals from both teams combined. That prediction would’ve landed you a profit in each of Rangers’ four games played last month. That run includes the 1-0 loss to Genk and that horror show 2-0 defeat to Hearts in Govan. Under 3.5 was also a smart play when Sturm Graz lost on matchday one and in their narrow weekend win over Hartberg here in the league.

You’ll find under 3.5 in the total goals market on the Betfred website and app. With this bet, the winning team and scorer of the goals aren’t important. A 3-0 home win pays the same as a 1-1 draw. As long as Sturm Graz vs Rangers ends with fewer than four goals, you’ll be counting the profits. It’ll prove a useful addition to your midweek accumulators, and I’m confident it’ll land without too much fuss.

Match result - draw @ 5/2

Our second pick in this Europa League clash comes from the match winner market, and we’re sitting on the fence by backing the draw. Sturm Graz are the home side, but would surely see the value in a share of the spoils with a team that reached the final of this competition in 2022. A point would get them off the mark and keep the Austrians in the running for qualification to the next phase.

Having lost at home to Genk before a subdued audience at Ibrox last time, a point on the board would also help ease the pressure on this Rangers team. There was nothing pretty about how Rangers defeated Livingston on Sunday, needing a goal from two defenders to get across the line. Max Aarons netted deep into stoppage time, turning another draw into a first league win of the season. Neither team fills us with confidence, meaning we’re happy to bet the draw and watch these clubs cancel each other out on the night.

Offers

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