Europa League - Teddy Bears & Hibs go chasing away goals

SCOTTISH football expert Mr Fixit (@MrFixitTips) previews Rangers and Hibs' Thursday night Europa League fixtures.

Maribor v Rangers | Thursday 16th August 2018, 19:15 | Premier Sports

Rangers head to Slovenia confident of making the Europa League play-offs but 3-1 is a dangerous lead. Steven Gerrard will know it’s game on if Maribor score first while 2-0 will put the scourge of the Scots through on away goals.

It’s not done and dusted and I reckon Rangers will need to score – a 1-1 draw or 2-1 defeat being possible results. Gers are no bigger than 1/6 to qualify with Maribor 7/2 at Paddy Power. To win on the night, the Slovenians are 5/4 at Coral with Maribor 9/4 at Bet365 and a draw 23/10 with BetVictor.

Maribor have netted 15 goals in four league matches, scoring five in three of them against Rudar, Gorica and Aluminiji, so will be confident of breaking down what’s been a strong Ibrox defence. They are unbeaten in 10 at home with an aggregate of 23-4 so Gerrard will know it’s all but over.

With Maribor needing at least two and Rangers chasing one, the best bet could be Over 2.5 Goals at 6-5 with William Hill. Both to score pays 10/11 at Paddy Power while Maribor and BTTS is 19/5.

Alfredo Morelos, subject of a failed £4million bid by Bordeaux, is 5/1 with William Hill to score first and 7/4 to net at any time.

Molde v Hibs | Thursday 16th August 2018, 18:00

Hibs are up against it after being held 0-0 at home to Molde but one thing Neil Lennon doesn’t lack is attacking options.

His men will go to Norway all guns blazing and I expect plenty of goals – only keeper heroics ensured it was blank last week. Over 2.5 Goals should land at 11/10 with Paddy Power while both to score pays evens at Betfair.

Molde have netted five in three of their last four home games, including a 5-1 thrashing of leaders Brann at the weekend, so they’ll be confident of winning at 3/4 with Marathon.

Hibs are 17/4 at Bet365 and to qualify the Leith men are 7/5 at Betfair.