Rangers vs Fenerbahce Prediction: Fergie’s battling Gers to sink Jose

The Europa League Last 16 second legs dominate our thinking on Thursday evening, with eight scheduled games. One goal or less separates the teams in five of those matches, including the showdown between Manchester United and Real Sociedad at Old Trafford.

This article focuses on an electrifying night in Glasgow where Rangers aim for another stunning win when José Mourinho takes his Fenerbahçe side to Ibrox. TNT Sports 2 from 20:00 is the channel to tune into for this one. Betfred’s Frank Monkhouse found plenty of winners at the weekend and aims for two more in midweek as he takes us through his Rangers vs Fenerbahçe Predictions right here on Betfred Insights...

Rangers enjoy the home advantage as interim manager Barry Ferguson prepares his players for another rollercoaster evening in the Europa League. Followers of the light blues have enjoyed some memorable European nights in recent years. They’ll pack Ibrox hoping to see another famous win, and last week’s 3-1 victory in Turkey gives them hope. Rangers’ fate rests in their hands, and supporters can’t ask any more than that.

José Mourinho takes his Fenerbahçe side to Glasgow, looking to overturn a 1-3 aggregate score. The Yellow Canaries were firm betting favourites to win the first leg in Istanbul. Alexander Djiku scored on 30 minutes, but it wasn’t enough to stop a rampant Rangers, who celebrated goals for Cyriel Dessers and a Vaclav Cerny double. The Turks were well beaten, and it could’ve been worse. Dessers had two goals cancelled by narrow offside margins.

Rangers vs Fenerbahce Odds

Betfred traders expected the Gers’ run to end against Fenerbahce, but the showing from Ferguson’s side in the first leg forced the odds-makers into a rethink. Rangers made light work of Jose’s team on their patch, finding plenty of room in the middle of the park. When Rangers created chances, they took them in Turkey.

The home win is expected on Thursday, with the locals picked to finish the job in style. Rangers to win is 8/5 on the Betfair website and user-friendly mobile app.

Everyone connected to Fenerbahce - from their star manager to the fans in the stands - know the team missed a fantastic opportunity to take control of this tie at the earliest opportunity. Rangers had sacked the man that guided them to a top-eight finish; an inexperienced manager was in the dugout, and the Gers’ defence was ravaged by injury.

Fenerbahce failed to capitalise. That means they must now travel to Glasgow and win by at least two clear goals to stay in the competition. The away win is 6/4 at Betfred, with the draw trading at 3/1.

Both teams to score 

Ibrox will be a sea of red, white, and blue on Thursday. The famous Govan venue has witnessed some magic over the years, and this battle-hardened Rangers side stands within touching distance of another remarkable result.

Can Barry Ferguson take down Jose Mourinho in only his second appearance in the Ibrox dugout? Fans believe it’s written in the stars, but Fenerbahce are here to do a job and will believe they’re good enough to spoil the party by fighting back.

Mourinho knows his team were out-fought and out-fought last week. He congratulated the Scots but warned them nothing was over yet. The Special One’s ego was dented in the first leg, and he’ll want revenge.

Jose’s team must win, and the former Chelsea manager will send his team out to attack. Fenerbahce have the quality to score on Thursday, but Rangers are ruthless on the counter.

Rangers win and both score

I expect a shoot-out in Glasgow on Thursday. Ferguson won’t send his team out to try and out-score Fenerbahce, but he also has his hands tied by a horrendous injury crisis at the back. Those starting in front of goalkeeper Jack Butland will be asked to roll up their sleeves and go to war for a fanbase they’ve let down in every other competition this year.

From the players to the coaching staff and the fans inside Ibrox, winning will be a joint effort. But Rangers are in a strong position and are good enough to feed off the atmosphere at Ibrox on European nights and progress to the quarter-finals by winning the game. Back both teams to score and Rangers to win for a shot at another nice price winner.

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Frank Monkhouse covers Scottish Football for us here at Betfred Insights. You can check out all of his work along with that of the rest of our Football Betting Tips desk on our main Football page...