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Rangers host Alashkert at Ibrox Park in the first leg of their Europa League playoff tie on Thursday.
The home side come into the game on the back of a convincing 5-0 victory over Dumfermline in the Scottish League Cup round of 16 on Friday. John Lundstram set the tone for what was to come with his third-minute goal while Kemar Roofe starred with a brace.
Alashkert fell to a 2-0 defeat on home soil against Van in the Armenian Premier League. Vladimir Filippov and Zaven Badoyan scored second-half goals to give the visitors all three points.
Rangers dropped to the Europa League following their elimination from the UEFA Champions League with a 4-2 aggregate defeat to Malmo.
Alshkert progressed at the expense of Kairat Almaty in the third qualifying round with a 3-2 victory after extra time.
The winner of this tie will secure their place in the Europa League group stage while the loser will drop down to the Europa Conference League group stage.
Rangers vs Alashkert Head-to-Head
This will be the first competitive meeting between the sides. Rangers returned to winning ways last Friday after a debilitating week that saw them lose three consecutive games to dire consequences.
Alashkert's victory last week was their sole win in their last six games in all competitions.
Rangers form guide (all competitions): W-L-L-L-W
Alashkert form guide (all competitions): L-W-D-L-L
Rangers vs Alashkert Team News
Rangers
Manager Steven Gerrard will be without Nnamdi Oforbuoh due to a heart condition and Ryan Jack, who has a calf injury.
Furthermore, the duo of Kemar Roofe and Glen Kamara are still serving out the suspensions handed to them by UEFA last season.
Injury: Ryan Jack
Heart condition: Nnamdi Oforbuoh
Suspension: Glen Kamara, Kemar Roofe
Alashkert
There are no injury or suspension concerns for the Armenian champions.
Injuries: None
Suspension: None
Rangers vs Alashkert Predicted XI
Rangers Predicted XI (4-3-3): Allan McGregor (GK); Borno Barisic, Leon Balogun, Connor Goldson, James Tavanier; Joe Aribo, Steven Davis, Scott Wright; Ryan Kent, Alfeedo Moralos, Ianis Hagi
Alashkert Predicted XI (4-3-3): Ognjen Cancerevic (GK); Dejan Boljevic, Tiago Cameta, Taron Voskanyan, Didier Kadio; Artak Yedigaryan, Rumyan Hovsepyan, Artak Grigoryan; Jose Embalo, Aleksandar Glisic, David Khurtsidze
Rangers vs Alashkert Prediction
Rangers are heavy favorites to progress to the group stage and after last week's disappointment, Steven Gerrard will want his side to send a statement of intent to their fans.
Barring an unlikely upset, Alashkert should be soundly beaten as the hosts seek to get back to winning ways at Ibrox.
Prediction: Rangers 4-0 Alashkert
