Sturm Graz and Rangers will continue their respective Europa League group-stage campaigns with a meeting at the Merkur Arena on Thursday evening.
Both sides suffered defeat in the opening round of matches as the hosts lost to Midtjylland, while the visitors came away empty-handed against Genk.
Contents
Sturm Graz vs Rangers prediction: Second straight European defeat for Gers
Key stats
- None of Sturm Graz's last five matches have yielded more than two goals or ended with both teams scoring.
- Four of Rangers' last five games have produced fewer than three goals.
- The Scottish outfit are yet to win consecutive matches since the turn of the campaign.
Correct score prediction: Sturm Graz 2-0 Rangers
Rangers put on a much-improved display en route to their first league win of the season over the weekend, but still look well short of their usual standards.
With a sterner test lying in wait for Russell Martin's men, we can see them coming away empty-handed at the end of proceedings in Austria.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Hosts tipped to emerge triumphant
- HOME: 5/4 (2.25) – 44.4%
- DRAW: 13/5 (3.60) – 27.8%
- AWAY: 15/8 (2.88) – 34.8%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Since losing their Europa League opener, Sturm Graz have since returned to winning ways by beating Hartberg 1-0 thanks to a late Dominic Vincze own goal.
That was a first home outing in four matches for Jurgen Saumel's men, who have given a 44.4% chance of making it back-to-back wins in front of their fans.
Like Sturm Graz, Rangers have also responded to their continental setback with a domestic victory by beating Livingston 2-1 on Sunday.
That ended a six-game winless Premiership run for the visitors, who will now set out in search of consecutive wins for the first time since May.
For more from the upcoming matches, today’s free football betting tips look at some of the best picks.
Most recent H2Hs: All square after two
Thursday's clash between Sturm Graz and Rangers is the first edition of this fixture in 25 years after the teams met in a Champions League qualifying tie in 2000.
Rangers claimed an emphatic 5-0 win in the first leg and went on to progress despite losing the second leg 2-0.
Sturm Graz preview: Axel Kayombo's wait for competitive debut goes on
After scoring nine league goals for Lausanne Ouchy last season, 19-year-old Kayombo earned himself a move to Sturm Graz and scored in his first outing against Mlada Boleslav back in July's friendly.
The Frechman has not featured since due to an ankle issue and will miss Thursday's game. Danil Khudyakov, Alexandar Borkovic and Arjan Malic are also unavailable.
Predicted lineup: Christensen(GK), Oermann, Aiwu, Lavalee, Karic, Stankovic, Horvat, Chukwuani, Hodl, Jatta & Malone
Sturm Graz's last five matches:
- Sturm Graz 1-0 Hartberg (Bundesliga)
- Midtjylland 2-0 Sturm Graz (Europa League)
- Salzburg 0-2 Sturm Graz (Bundesliga)
- Rothis 0-2 Sturm Graz (OFB Cup)
- Sturm Graz 0-1 Austria Vienna (Bundesliga)
Rangers preview: Mohammed Diomande ineligible to feature
Diomande received his marching orders against Genk on matchday one, ruling him out of contention to play any part for Rangers here.
Rabbi Matondo, Clinton Nsiala and Dujon Sterling are without an appearance this season due to respective injuries, while Lyall Cameron is set to miss a sixth straight game.
Predicted lineup: Butland(GK), Meghoma, Souttar, Cornelius, Tavernier, Raskin, Barron, Gassama, Aasgaard, Moore & Miovski
Rangers' last five matches:
- Livingston 1-2 Rangers (Premiership)
- Rangers 0-1 Genk (Europa League)
- Rangers 2-0 Hibernian (Scottish League Cup)
- Rangers 0-2 Hearts (Premiership)
- Rangers 0-0 Celtic (Premiership)
Player to watch – Seedy Jatta
A return of seven goals from 32 appearances across all competitions last time out was underwhelming for Jatta in his second season as a Sturm Graz player, but he is now just two goals away from matching that tally this term in just 11 outings.
Despite failing to score in his last two games, the 22-year-old has netted four times in six matches leading up to Thursday's clash.
Jatta opened his European account in last season's Champions League and will be looking to deliver on the continental stage again.