Malmo vs Rangers predictions: Home skipper could land early blow

– Malmo have won their last two home matches by a 4-0 scoreline
– Rangers have kept only two clean sheets in their last 14 Europa League ties
– Recommended bet: Anders Christiansen first goalscorer

Rangers suffered a 3-1 aggregate defeat to Dynamo Kyiv in Champions League qualifying and Philippe Clement’s men will be keen to make amends in their Europa League opener against Malmo.

The Swedish side have twice beaten the Gers in Champions League qualifiers, winning 2-1 on aggregate in 2011-12 and 4-2 in 2021-22, while they have been in solid form in the Allsvenskan this season.

The Gers need to make a strong start to their campaign, with daunting fixtures against Tottenham and Manchester United to come, but they can expect a tough contest in Sweden.

Malmo captain Anders Christiansen and striker Isaac Kiese Thelin scored on their returns from injury against Hacken on Sunday.

Veteran Johan Dahlin is expected to start in goal despite an impressive recent display from understudy Ricardo Friedrich. 

Rangers youngster Robbie Fraser may start at left-back as Ridvan Yilmaz is injured and Jefte is serving a one-match European ban.

Rabbi Matondo (hamstring) and Danilo (knee) are also sidelined for the Gers.

Malmo have kept clean sheets in their last four Allsvenskan games and have won their last two home matches by 4-0 scorelines.

Malmo lost all six of their group games in their last Europa League campaign in 2022-23.

Rangers have won four of their last five matches to nil.

Both teams have scored in four of Rangers’ last five Europa League matches and the Gers have kept only two clean sheets in their last 14 Europa League ties.

Injury problems have hampered Rangers over the past couple of seasons and the absence of Jefte and Ridvan Yilmaz will force Clement into a defensive reshuffle on Thursday.

The Gers have won four of their last five domestic matches to nil, but they were outclassed in a 3-0 defeat to Old Firm rivals Celtic and have kept only two clean sheets in their last 14 Europa League ties.

Malmo are capable of taking advantage of any uncertainty at the back and they come into Thursday’s game in good spirits after thumping Hacken 4-0 on Sunday.

Experienced captain Christiansen opened the scoring in the seventh minute before adding a second early in the second half and he is a tempting bet to break the deadlock against men from Glasgow.

The 34-year-old attacking midfielder has scored five times in just 524 minutes of Allsvenskan action this season, also finding the net twice in Champions League qualifying, while he is also likely to take penalties for the hosts. 

Win up to £250,000 with our free-to-play game, LiveScore 6!