Alashkert v Rangers betting tips: Heat biggest worry for Gers
Published:
Alashkert v Rangers preview and odds
Alfredo Morelos’ second-half strike means the Scottish champions have a narrow lead as we pick out Alashkert v Rangers betting tips for the second leg of the Europa League play-off.
The Light Blues struggled to break down the limited visitors at Ibrox and then suffered a blow in the 43rd minute when midfielder John Lundstram was sent off for picking up his second yellow card.
But Rangers maintained their dominance and Morelos’ strike in the 67th minute for the 1-0 win restored confidence ahead of the second leg in Armenia.
Match Odds
Rangers have an Old Firm derby at the weekend but neither they nor Celtic, who are also in Europa League action on Thursday, can think that far ahead yet.
Steven Gerrard’s men were knocked out of the Champions League so will be desperate to reach the group stage of the Europa League at Alashkert’s expense.
Rangers, without suspended duo Glen Kamara and Kemar Roofe, dominated possession from the start in the first leg but only had the Morelos goal to show for it and Gerrard was not happy.
⚽️ GOAL OF THE DAY: @morelos2106 v Alashkert pic.twitter.com/j1AQNzD9sc
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) August 20, 2021
The Gers boss said: “I’ve got confidence and belief we can get going and restart and show we can get back to the form we need – but we need to wake up now.
“We’re in competitions and we’re at a club where you can’t afford to be where we are right now. We need to find our level and we need to wake up right now.
“The players listened to what I had to say at half-time and we got a reaction and we went on to win the game but we should have made this game so much more comfortable than we have.”
Rangers were more ruthless in a 4-2 victory at Ross County on Sunday and are clear favourites to win the second leg against Alashkert at 3/10 while the hosts are 9/1 to get the win they need to have any hope of progressing.
Gerrard will hope the goals continue to flow on Thursday and an away win with over 2.5 goals is an option for Alashkert v Rangers betting tips at 20/23.
Talking Tactics
Coping with the heat and humidity in the Armenian capital of Yerevan is one of the biggest challenges for Rangers, who also face a 5,000-mile round trip.
Keeping possession and forcing their opponents to work hard without the ball in temperatures of around 36 degrees will be the key and Rangers should have the ability to do so.
Fatigue could be a factor in the second half which is 17/20 to have more goals than the first half.
Goalscorer Odds
Morelos grabbed the only goal in the first leg and is 3/1 to open the scoring here or 6/5 to be on target in a Rangers win.
James Tavernier is yet to get off the mark this season but scored 19 goals in all competitions last season and is 7/4 to break his duck in Alashkert v Rangers betting tips.
Jose Embalo scored twice for Alashkert in the previous round and the odds suggest he is their biggest goal threat at 7/2 in the anytime betting or 11/1 to score first.
Match Info
Where: Alashkert Stadium
When: 16:00, Thursday 26th August
How to watch: BBC Scotland
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
