Rangers came back from 2-1 down at HT to win 4-3 vs Antwerp thanks to a 90th minute goal, putting them in pole position to progress from this UEFA Europa League (UEL) tie. That result forms part of an incredible season for the Scots so far, with Rangers currently enjoying a 14-game unbeaten run in all competitions (W12, D2), and looking almost certain to pick up a 55th domestic title in what would be a new world record.
An eight-game winning run at home, which includes five clean sheets, has them starting this match as comfortable favourites, and rightly so as the ‘Gers’ have won all 18 previous UEFA ties in which they won a first leg away. They also went unbeaten in their previous four UEL/UEFA Cup Round of 32 home legs (W2, D2), whilst the last time they lost to Belgium opposition at any venue across nine such games (W7, D1, L1) was back in 1962!
Antwerp’s first-leg defeat forms part of a four-game winless run in all competitions (D2, L2), a period in which they failed to score the opener in any match despite going unbeaten at the break (HT: W1, D3). Appearing in the UEL knockout phase for the first time, the Belgium outfit can take heart from winning two of three group stage road trips this term (L1).
However only one of those wins involved a 2+ goal margin - a result that would guarantee progression here. Antwerp did secure such a win in three of their last ten competitive away matches, so they’re not out of this tie yet.
Players to watch: Joe Aribo has scored in consecutive Rangers games, including the opener in the first leg. Lior Refaelov also scored in that match, and netted in two of Antwerp’s three UEL away matches this term.
Hot stat: Antwerp are yet to concede before HT in five previous UEL away fixtures - four were
goalless at the break.
An eight-game winning run at home, which includes five clean sheets, has them starting this match as comfortable favourites, and rightly so as the ‘Gers’ have won all 18 previous UEFA ties in which they won a first leg away. They also went unbeaten in their previous four UEL/UEFA Cup Round of 32 home legs (W2, D2), whilst the last time they lost to Belgium opposition at any venue across nine such games (W7, D1, L1) was back in 1962!
Antwerp’s first-leg defeat forms part of a four-game winless run in all competitions (D2, L2), a period in which they failed to score the opener in any match despite going unbeaten at the break (HT: W1, D3). Appearing in the UEL knockout phase for the first time, the Belgium outfit can take heart from winning two of three group stage road trips this term (L1).
However only one of those wins involved a 2+ goal margin - a result that would guarantee progression here. Antwerp did secure such a win in three of their last ten competitive away matches, so they’re not out of this tie yet.
Players to watch: Joe Aribo has scored in consecutive Rangers games, including the opener in the first leg. Lior Refaelov also scored in that match, and netted in two of Antwerp’s three UEL away matches this term.
Hot stat: Antwerp are yet to concede before HT in five previous UEL away fixtures - four were
goalless at the break.
