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Rangers vs Sparta Prague betting tips:
- James Tavernier anytime goalscorer – 16/5 with Unibet
- Rangers to win to nil - 13/5 with BetVictor
- Rangers over 2.5 goals – 10/3 with Betfred
- Total corners under 9.5 - 11/10 with Parimatch
New Rangers boss Philippe Clement has had an instant impact at Glasgow and will be targeting another win against Sparta Prague in the Europa League on Thursday (TNT Sports 3, 8pm).
The Gers have won four of the five matches they have played under the Belgian and enter their latest European engagement fresh from making the Scottish League Cup final at the weekend.
Sparta Prague, meanwhile, need a result in Glasgow to boost their chances of making the Europa League’s last 16 after taking a point off Rangers last month.
Football betting sites have priced Rangers as favourites to claim all three points, but Sparta Prague won't go down easily at Ibrox.
Tavernier to add to his goals haul
No Rangers player has scored more goals this season than James Tavernier. The 32-year-old is a reliable performer and has found the back of the net in each of his last three games - including a brace against Hearts on Sunday.
Clement has made an immediate impact since arriving at Rangers following the sacking of Michael Beale, but he has still to settle on an attacking line over his first few matches in charge.
This is why Tavernier’s natural goal threat will be so important against Sparta Prague. His long-range shooting and ability from set pieces could be the thing that opens up the match for Rangers.
Tavernier is Rangers’ first-choice penalty kick taker and could be a good bet to score again on Thursday night - he is priced at 16/5 with online betting sites to score at any time.
Tip: James Tavernier anytime goalscorer – 16/5 with Unibet
Rangers can count on home form
Rangers won their only home match in the Europa League group stage to date with victory over Real Betis in September, highlighting just how strong the Govan side are in front of their own supporters.
In the Europa League, Rangers haven’t lost at home since the defeat to Lyon in the group stage of the 2021/22 campaign - when the Ibrox outfit made a run all the way to the competition’s final.
Sparta Prague have struggled on the road so far this season, losing to Real Betis and Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League (including qualification) and new betting sites make them significant underdogs for this fixture.
Clement has steadied Rangers who have kept three clean sheets in their last five matches in all competitions - including away to Sparta Prague in the previous meeting between the two teams.
Tip: Rangers to win to nil - 13/5 with BetVictor
Gers to put shooting boots on
While Rangers are still a work in progress under Clement, the Ibrox side are showing more promise in the attacking third than was ever the case with Beale in charge.
Abdallah Sima, in particular, has become Rangers’ most reliable performer in front of goal over the last two months with the on-loan Brighton attacker netting six times in his last nine outings in all competitions.
Danilo is also showing promise now that he is fit again with the Brazilian forward scoring his first goal as a Rangers player against Greenock Morton in the Scottish League Cup.
Todd Cantwell is also fit again after a spell out through injury and has given Rangers some much-needed guile and creativity in the attacking midfield area.
Tip: Rangers over 2.5 goals – 10/3 with Betfred
Scoring chances to come from open play
Chances are Rangers will dominate possession against Sparta Prague on Thursday night and that will see the majority of their opportunities come from open play.
Rangers have had under 6.5 corner kicks in last 18 matches in all competitions and it’s possible this pattern will continue in their next Europa League outing.
Under Beale, Rangers were cross-heavy in their attacking approach, but Clement has focused on improving his team in the build-up phase. They are now more likely to create through the likes of Cantwell and Sam Lammers than through set pieces.
Rangers could still pose a threat through set pieces, certainly with Tavernier taking them, but the statistics suggest they might not cross into double figures for corners and Sparta Prague might not get forward enough to contribute much to the tally either.
Tip: Total corners under 9.5 - 11/10 with Parimatch
Rangers vs Sparta Prague predictions:
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Last Updated: 14th March 2024, 07:22 AM
