Rangers return to Europa League action with the first leg of their last 16 tie against Fenerbahce at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium on Thursday 6th March at 5:45pm (UK time). But it will be all change in the dugout for Rangers from the group stage, with Philippe Clement sacked. Jose Mourinho will be looking to capitalise on that as he chases another European trophy. This game will be broadcast live in the UK on TNT Sports.
Rangers to score first (6/4 with Midnite)
Fenerbahce have conceded the opening goal in six of their 10 Europa League games this season.
Youssef En-Nesyri to score anytime
Youssef En-Nesyri is the second-top scorer in the Europa League this season, netting six goals in his 10 appearances. He’s averaging 0.81 goals per 90 minutes and has scored in each of his past three Europa League games.
How both teams go into Fenerbahce vs Rangers
Rangers have had a strange season, with mixed fortunes domestically and in Europe. The Glasgow club currently sit 13 points behind league leaders Celtic in the Scottish Premiership, with a defeat to St Mirren proving to be the final straw. Clement has been sacked, with the club now looking for their fourth manager in four years. The new man will have to get bedded in quickly, with Mourinho an upcoming opponent. In the Europa League, Rangers did just enough to secure direct passage to the last 16, finishing eighth — ahead of ninth-placed Bodo/Glimt on goal difference. So they were able to watch on as their opponents battled through the knockout phase play-offs.
Fenerbahce are the lowest-ranked team left in the Europa League, by group stage finish. The Turkish side finished 24th and only scraped into the knockout phase play-offs on goal difference. They won two of their eight group games, losing two and drawing the other four. They weren’t a fun side to watch. But the goals started to come in the knockout phase play-offs, as Fenerbahce knocked out Anderlecht who had finished 10th in the group.
Fenerbahce team news
Caglar Soyuncu and Diego Carlos are out for Fenerbahce due to injury. Fred and Bright Osayi-Samuel are both suspended for yellow card accumulation, both receiving their fifth cautions last time out (the second threshold for suspension).
Rangers team news
Neraysho Kasanwirjo remains out for Rangers, having not featured since November due to injury. Oscar Cortes is back in training, while John Souttar could be back from injury. Leon Balogun, Dujon Sterling and Connor Barron will continue to be monitored and could be in line to feature.
Fenerbahce vs Rangers head-to-head
These two sides have meet just twice before, in the qualifying stages of the 2001-02 Champions League. After a draw at Ibrox in the first leg, Fenerbahce took the second game 2-1 to advance to the first group stage.