On Tuesday night, Scottish giants Rangers will be looking to claim a big scalp in Group A of the Champions League as they welcome Liverpool to Ibrox.
Rangers formDespite another solid domestic campaign, Rangers have floundered in the Champions League this season. Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team is currently bottom of Group A, having lost all three of their games.
Anything but a win would all but end their hopes of qualifying for the last 16 of the competition. A record of just two wins in their previous 15 matches in the competition does not bode well for a home victory, however.
Liverpool formJurgen Klopp’s team are experiencing an underwhelming Premier League campaign. However, their form in the Champions League has been slightly better of late. After a gameweek one defeat against Napoli, the Reds have recorded back-to-back European wins over Ajax and Rangers in the reverse fixture.
The win over Rangers last time out means that Liverpool has won four of their previous six games in European football’s elite competition. A significant factor in those decent results has been their attacking prowess, as the visitors have scored at least two goals in six of their previous eight Champions League matches.
Team News Rangers will welcome back centre-back James Sands after he served a one-game suspension. However, John Souttar and Filip Helander look set to miss out through injury. Alfredo Morelos and Antonio Colak are competing for the lone striker role. The latter may have an advantage after scoring a weekend brace. Liverpool look set to be without Colombian winger Luis Diaz due to a knee injury, while Scotland full-back Andy Robertson also misses out through injury. Trent Alexander-Arnold picked up a knock against Arsenal and was replaced at half-time by Joe Gomez, and the former Charlton star could start this clash.What am I backing?
I am backing over 2.5 goals in this clash. Rangers really need a result, so they will have to be slightly more attacking than in the reverse fixture, which could leave gaps at the back. Meanwhile, Liverpool has been woeful in defence of late, so the home side could exploit that weakness.