Supercomputer predicts likelihood of Rangers winning EL ahead of clash v Malmo

Rangers have been given just a 26.4 per cent chance of qualifying for the last 16 of the Europa League this season by the Opta supercomputer.

The 2022 finalists take on Malmo this Thursday (26 September) in the club’s first league phase fixture, as the tricky trip to Sweden comes after back-to-back domestic wins for Philippe Clement’s side.

As published by The Analyst on Tuesday [24 September], Opta’s tournament predictions have also given the Gers just a 9.4 per cent chance of reaching the quarter-finals; 2.9% of the semis; 0.8% of reaching a second final in three years and a minuscule 0.2% opportunity to lift the trophy.

This ranks the Glaswegians as 27th out of the 32 clubs involved in 2024-25, with Swedish leaders Malmo two places below in 29th – ultimately with a matched 0.2 per cent chance of winning the crown, and a 21.4 per cent probability to progress to the round of 16.

FC Porto have been calculated as favourites to win the competition, with Athletic Bilbao in hot pursuit.

Rangers begin Europa League campaign in Sweden

A tough test lies in wait for Rangers against a Malmo side whose domestic season has been ongoing since March as the club close in on another league title.

Luckily the travel is not too far ahead of this weekend’s return to league action at Ibrox against Hibs on Sunday (29 September) at midday.

Malmo will be favourites due to the home advantage, but the Gers will be quietly confident having already picked up an away draw in Europe this season against Dynamo Kyiv – unfortunately not enough to progress to the Champions League proper after defeat at Hampden Park in the return leg.

The Swedes, managed by Henrik Rydstrom, have twice inflicted similar Champions League qualifying pain on the Light Blues in recent memory, with Clement’s charges out for revenge.

With league phase ties against Manchester United and Tottenham also beckoning for Rangers, it promises to be an interesting European campaign in Govan.

In other Rangers news, an update has been shared on Ianis Hagi.

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