By 90min | Created at 2024-11-07 17:33:07 | Updated at 2024-11-15 09:47:34
1 week ago
Rangers continue their Europa League campaign on Thursday, travelling to Greece to face Europa Conference League champions Olympiacos.
Philippe Clement still finds himself under huge pressure as Rangers manager, with the Glasgow side currently sat nine points behind bitter rivals Celtic in the Scottish Premiership. Even victory in the Scottish League Cup semi-final was awkward at the weekend, with the Gers needing to come from behind in their 2-1 win over Motherwell.
The Europa League has offered mixed results to date. An embarrassing 4-1 defeat to Lyon was sandwiched between commanding victories over Malmo and FCSB, but Rangers' inconsistencies mean supporters are never entirely certain which version of their side they will witness.
Olympiacos have also faced Lyon and Malmo in the Europa League, following Rangers' example by losing to the former and beating the latter. A 3-0 victory over Braga on Matchday 2 means they too have claimed six points from their opening three encounters.
The Greek giants are themselves in patchy form, winning three, drawing two and losing one of their last six matches. They're currently off the pace in the Super League, three points behind table toppers Aris Thessaloniki.
Here is 90min's guide to Thursday's action.
Olympiacos vs Rangers H2H Record
This is the first competitive fixture between Olympiacos and Rangers.
Current form (all competitions)
Olympiacos 2-1 Panserraikos - 02/11/24 | Motherwell 1-2 Rangers - 03/11/24 |
Athens Kallithea 0-1 Olympiacos - 30/10/24 | Aberdeen 2-1 Rangers - 30/10/24 |
Asteras Tripolis 1-0 Olympiacos - 27/10/24 | Rangers 2-1 St Mirren - 27/10/24 |
Malmo 0-1 Olympiacos - 24/10/24 | Rangers 4-0 FCSB - 24/10/24 |
Olympiacos 2-2 Levadiakos - 20/10/24 | Kilmarnock 1-0 Rangers - 20/10/24 |
How to watch Olympiacos vs Rangers on TV - UK and US
United Kingdom | TNT Sports 3, discovery+, discovery+ App |
United States | Paramount+, fuboTV, ViX, CBS Sports Network |
Canada | DAZN |
Ayoub El Kaabi is one to watch out for / ANDERS BJURO/GettyImages
Jose Luis Mendilibar is without a host of key players for Rangers' visit, including summer signings Willian and Yusuf Yazici. The Brazilian has made just six appearances for his new side since leaving Fulham and is sidelined until 2025.
Marko Stamenic, Theofanis Bakoulas, Franciso Ortega and Andreas-Richardos Ntoi are all likely to miss out, but Italian defender Lorenzo Pirola could make his comeback having been missing since the victory over Malmo.
Ayoub El Kaabi is Olympiacos' major attacking threat. The 2023/24 Europa Conference League Player of the Season has already scored nine times this campaign, including three in the Europa League.
Olympiacos predicted lineup vs Rangers
Olympiacos predicted lineup vs Rangers (4-2-3-1): Tzolakis; Costinha, Retsos, Carmo, Pirola; Mouzakitis, Hezze; Rodinei, Chiquinho, Martins; El Kaabi.
Tom Lawrence could miss out / Ian MacNicol/GettyImages
Tom Lawrence is a doubt for Thursday's clash after missing training during the week. The midfielder was substituted in the first half of the weekend win over Motherwell and may be absent for the trip to Greece.
Oscar Cortes is still sidelined through injury, while Ross McCausland missed out on the win over Motherwell and is doubtful to feature. Ridvan Yilmaz and Rabbi Matondo are both back in training but it's unclear if they will be involved on Thursday.
Danilo was omitted from the Europa League squad, meaning Cyriel Dessers will lead the line once again having failed to score in the competition to date.
Rangers predicted lineup vs Olympiacos
Rangers predicted lineup vs Olympiacos (4-2-3-1): Butland; Tavernier, Souttar, Balogun, Jefte; Raskin, Barron; Cerny, Diomande, Bajrami; Dessers.
Rangers are in the midst of a difficult period and Clement can ill-afford many more slip-ups if he wants to keep his position as the club's head coach. Travelling to face European regulars Olympiacos wouldn't have been his dream outing as the Gers aim to rediscover some consistency.
Olympiacos have an array of attacking talents who will test a Rangers side with just one clean sheet in their past five games. Clement will fancy his side to cause the hosts issues, especially considering the positive form of Vaclav Cerny and Nedim Bajrami, but they may leave without anything to show for it.
