Rangers v FCSB preview: Team news, head-to-head, where to watch, lineups, prediction

Rangers are set to welcome FCSB to Ibrox on Thursday (24 October) as they look for their second win in the Europa League this season.

The Gers suffered a heavy defeat against Lyon last time out in the competition on 3 October, with the quality of Alexandre Lacazette and Malick Fofana causing problems.

Philippe Clement will be hopeful that his side can make it two wins from three games in Europe as the Romanian outfit are welcomed to Glasgow.

Preview

After the poor performance and defeat last time out in the Scottish Premiership against Kilmarnock, the Light Blues need to bounce back with a better showing against FCSB.

A Marley Watkins goal was enough last time out to secure a 1-0 win for Derek McInnes’ side, who had the better of the chances throughout.

Rangers players and supporters will be keen to return to Ibrox to play on a better surface and play the football that they want to, compared to the frustrating pitch at Rugby Park.

Despite the 4-1 defeat against Lyon, there is still hope that qualifications for the Europa League playoffs is possible so making it six points from nine will certainly be a step in the right direction.

There will be hope that this will be possible against a side who currently sit in fifth place in the Romanian Superliga.

This isn’t to say Ilias Charalampous’ side don’t have qualities that can cause problems in Glasgow given that they have won their last three games in a row.

Clement’s side will have to be wary and play to the best of their abilities if they want to secure a much-needed win.

Form Guide [Europa League]

Rangers: LW

FCSB: WW

Head-to-head [all competitions]

FCSB 1-0 Rangers [13 September, 1995]

Rangers 1-1 FCSB [22 November, 1995]

Rangers 2-1 FCSB [16 March, 1988]

FCSB 2-0 Rangers [2 March, 1988]

Rangers 2-0 FCSB [17 September, 1969]

Team News

There are no new injury concerns for the Gers with Oscar Cortes, Rabbi Matondo and Ridvan Yilmaz all set to miss out through injury once again.

Ross McCausland could feature after a knock during international duty after being named as an unused substitute against Kilmarnock.

Danilo also looks set to miss out, which will mean Clement has to pick between Cyriel Dessers and Hamza Igamane in the number nine role.

The away side are set to be without midfielder Darius Olaru after he was sent off last time out against PAOK.

It is unclear how many changes will be made to their starting XI, but with Adrian Sut on compassionate leave following the death of his father, he is another name likely to miss out at Ibrox.

Predicted Lineups

Rangers: Butland, Jefte, Souttar, Balogun, Tavernier, Diomande, Barron, Lawrence, Bajrami, Cerny, Dessers

FCSB: Tarnovanu, Radunovic, Popescu, Dawa, Cretu, Lixandru, Edjouma, Alhassan, Tanase, Baluta, Birligea

Where to watch?

The match at Ibrox kicks off at 8pm GMT on Thursday, 23 October and will be live on TNT Sports 3, as well as the Discovery Plus app.

Prediction: Rangers 2-1 FCSB

It is no secret that the Gers were well off the mark against Kilmarnock and will be keen to turn things around in the Europa League.

With the Ibrox faithful behind them against the Romanian outfit, there is no reason why they can’t secure a second win in the competition this season.

FCSB could cause some problems for the likes of James Tavernier and Leon Balogun at the back, but Clement’s side made a habit of keeping clean sheets prior to the shock Killie defeat.

With that being said, it still feels likely that the away side will get on the scoresheet but with the quality in attack that the Light Blues have, they should outscore the Romanian side.

It won’t be an easy game at Ibrox but it’s one supporters will be looking at and hoping for a win.

In other Rangers news, one star is at risk of losing his starting XI spot after the new developments at Ibrox.

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