RB Leipzig vs Rangers Preview – Prediction, team news, line-ups

RB Leipzig’s bid to qualify for a first-ever European final brings them up against experienced continental campaigners Rangers in the Europa League semi-finals.

Die Roten Bullen ran out 3-1 aggregate winners against Serie A entertainers Atalanta in the quarter-finals to reach their second European semi-finals in three years.

But Domenico Tedesco’s high-flyers saw their wings clipped by Union Berlin over the weekend as a 2-1 home defeat to fellow Bundesliga rivals ended their impressive 17-game unbeaten streak in all competitions.

With hopes of another top-four Bundesliga finish up in the air, Leipzig will be looking to secure Champions League football for next season by conquering the Europa League. 

However, Rangers, who crashed Borussia Dortmund out of the competition in the inaugural knock-out round, have already shown they could spoil the party for Europe’s big guns.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men eased past Serbian outfit Red Star Belgrade in the round of 16 before pulling off a second-leg comeback to kick Braga out in the quarter-finals. 

After a narrow 1-0 first-leg loss in Portugal, the Gers claimed a 3-1 extra-time win at Ibrox as James Tavernier scored a brace to climb up the Europa League top scorers list.

Rangers’ captain is currently the competition’s joint-best scorer with six goals, alongside former Braga player Galeno and Lyon star Karl Toko-Ekambi. 

Match Preview

Leipzig vs Rangers, coupled with the other semi-final tie between West Ham United and Eintracht Frankfurt, are available to watch live online via Europa League live streams.

RB Leipzig

Excluding a walkover of Spartak Moscow, Leipzig have managed one victory in their last five European home games (D3, L2), courtesy of a 2-1 beating of Manchester City in this season’s Champions League group stage.

But the Germans have suffered just one defeat in five home matches in the Europa League knock-out stages (W2, D2), including a brace of scoring draws this season.

They dispatched Celtic 2-0 in their only previous European home meeting with Scottish visitors back in the 2018/19 Europa League group stage.

Rangers

Rangers are on the verge of surrendering the Scottish Premiership crown to arch-rivals Celtic as they currently trail the table-topping Hoops by six points. 

The Gers’ recent European record outside Glasgow fuels the visitors’ concerns, as Van Bronckhorst’s men have gone winless on seven of their last eight continental travels (D3, L4).

Thursday’s trip to the Red Bull Arena will mark Rangers’ 50th European encounter against German opposition, with their record across their 49 previous such match-ups showing a perfect balance (W17, D15, L17). 

Team News

As per UEFA’s website, Kevin Kampl, Willi Orban and Mohamed Simakan will serve suspensions. Amadou Haidara is the only doubt in the Leipzig camp.

Rangers will be without Filip Helander, Ianis Hagi and Alfredo Morelos to injury. 

RB Leipzig Potential Starting XI

(3-4-1-2): Peter Gulacsi; Lukas Klostermann, Josko Gvardiol, Marcel Halstenberg; Benjamin Henrichs, Konrad Laimer, Emil Forsberg , Angelino; Dani Olmo; Andre Silva, Cristopher Nkunku.

Rangers Potential Starting XI

(4-2-3-1): Allan McGregor; James Tavernier, Connor Goldson, Calvin Bassey, Borna Barisic; John Lundstram, Ryan Jack; Scott Arfield, Joe Aribo, Ryan Kent; Fashion Sakala.

RB Leipzig vs Rangers Prediction

Despite the abovementioned collapse against Union Berlin, Leipzig are still enjoying the best spell of form this season and we back them to return to winning ways.

Rangers deserve the benefit of the doubt after a stellar European campaign, but their best chance of overcoming the Germans should be the second leg at Ibrox.

RB Leipzig 3-1 Rangers