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Europa League | Qualifying Playoffs | 1st Leg
Feb 17, 2022 at 5.45pm UK
Signal Iduna Park
RL

Dortmund
2 - 4
Rangers

Bellingham (51'), Guerreiro (82')
Zagadou (73')
FT(HT: 0-2)
Tavernier (38' pen.), Morelos (41'), Lundstram (49'), Zagadou (54' og.)
McGregor (79')

Preview: Borussia Dortmund vs. Rangers - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: Borussia Dortmund vs. Rangers - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Thursday's Europa League clash between Borussia Dortmund and Rangers, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Sports Mole

The Europa League returns on Thursday night as Borussia Dortmund host Rangers in the first leg of their knockout round match, with each team hoping to earn a place in the next stage of the competition.

The hosts have two of their last four fixtures, while the Gers head into this game on the back of three victories without conceding a single goal.


Match preview

Borussia Dortmund got themselves back to winning ways at the weekend after losing their previous game against Bayern Leverkusen when they defeated Union Berlin 3-0.

A brace from Marco Reus and a goal by Raphael Guerreiro secured the result, which kept them second in the Bundesliga, just six points behind Bayern Munich.

However, they have been inconsistent as of late, being beaten in two of their last four outings, one of which saw them knocked out DFB-Pokal, and they will be hoping that form does not follow them into this competition.

The German outfit dropped down from the Champions League after finishing third in Group C, missing out on second place by goal difference, as Sporting Lisbon and Ajax finished above them.

Dortmund did win half of their matches in that tournament, including their most recent European fixture, which resulted in an emphatic 5-0 victory over Besiktas, and they will be wanting to take that form into this match.

However, Rangers have not conceded a single goal in their previous three matches, turning their poor form at the start of the year around quickly with some impressive results in all competitions.

The Gers struggled at the turn of the year, which led to Celtic overtaking them in the Scottish Premiership as they slumped into second place, but since being beaten by the Hoops they have scored 10 goals in three games.

Despite that, the club does not have a great history against German teams in European competition, having been beaten in seven of their previous eight matches, with their last win being in 1998.

These two teams have not faced each other since the 1999-00 season, which makes this a fresh match-up, and the Gers have been able to progress in 10 out of their 14 most recent two-legged fixtures in the Europa League (or UEFA Cup).

Three goals in the first half saw Rangers knock out Annan Athletic in the Scottish Cup, which also saw them rest several first-team players, who should now be fresh for Thursday.

Borussia Dortmund form (all competitions):
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • L
  • W

Rangers Europa League form:
  • L
  • L
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • D

Rangers form (all competitions):
  • W
  • D
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • W

Team News

Mats Hummels was brought back into the Borussia Dortmund starting lineup at the weekend, and after helping guide his team to a clean sheet, he will be set to keep his place.

Meanwhile, Erling Braut Haaland could be available for the German outfit as he continues to battle back from a groin injury, but Mateu Morey and Marcel Schmelzer remain absentees for the club.

After making a handful of changes at the weekend, Rangers will likely bring several players back into the team on Thursday, with Allan McGregor set to return in goal.

Alfredo Morelos will also be set to start up front, leading the line for the Gers, while Fil Helander could be in contention to retain his place after making his return to the team following an injury layoff.

Borussia Dortmund possible starting lineup:
Kobel; Akanji, Zagadou, Hummels, Guerreiro; Bellingham, Witsel, Dahoud; Reus, Brandt, Haaland

Rangers possible starting lineup:
McGregor; Tavernier, Goldson, Balogun, Bassey; Kamara, Lundstram; Kent, Aribo, Arfield; Morelos


We say: Borussia Dortmund 2-1 Rangers

Both teams will be aiming to establish an early advantage in this first leg, but with Borussia Dortmund having the benefit of being at home, they will likely take all three points, especially with their squad depth.

However, Rangers have been in fine form lately, especially from an offensive perspective, which is why they will likely at least get themselves an away goal.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a home win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home Win:data




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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CBayer LeverkusenB. Leverkusen31256077225581
2Bayern MunichBayern31223689385169
3Stuttgart31204770383264
4RB Leipzig31195773353862
5Borussia DortmundDortmund31169659392057
6Eintracht FrankfurtFrankfurt31111284742545
7Freiburg31117134355-1240
8Augsburg31109124852-439
9Hoffenheim31116145563-839
10Heidenheim31910124452-837
11Werder Bremen31107144150-937
12Wolfsburg3197153751-1434
13Borussia MonchengladbachBorussia M'bach31711135360-732
14Union BerlinUnion Berlin3186172650-2430
15VfL BochumVfL Bochum31612133762-2530
16Mainz 05Mainz31513133249-1728
17FC Koln31411162454-3023
18SV Darmstadt 98Darmstadt3138203073-4317
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