SCOTTISH football aficionado Gerry Taylor (@thefurlongpole) shares his verdict on Thursday night's Europa League action between Slavia Prague and Rangers.
Rangers vs Slavia Prague | Thursday 18th March 2020, 20:00 | BT Sport
After the 1-1 draw in the first leg in the Czech capital, this tie is finely poised. The Gers are favourites to qualify, due in the main, to the crucial away goal. The hosts have their veteran goalie Allan McGregor to thank for the draw, with his truly world-class save on the 90th minute.
The Red & Whites cannot be ruled out this tie though, especially given their 2-0 second leg win in the previous round at the KP against Leicester.
If there was an early goal in this, it really could turn into and end to end, exciting match. Rather than goals though, my main fancy is for plenty of cards at Ibrox. The stakes are so high for these two clubs to reach the Europa League quarter-finals finals. I think both will go hell for leather in this clash, it could be a battle, and the appointed referee loves a card or five.
The man in the middle in Govan will be the Israeli official Orel Grinfeld. His back catalogue is strewn with cards, both domestically and in Europe. His most recent eight games in European competition have produced 37 yellow cards(over 4.5 average), and a red card.
The main bet I like is on the William Hill bet builder Over 9.5 First-Half Booking Points and Over 39.5 Booking Points which is priced at 7/10.
If that doesn't float your boat, and you’re more into a few speculative punts, I would suggest an interest in either goalkeeper to be carded. Both goalkeepers were booked for timewasting in February, Ondrej Kolar at Leicester, Allan McGregor at Livingston. Depending how the game is poised in the latter stages, one of these to be carded at 12/1 or 18/1 with Bet 365 could be worth an interest.
Best Bets
Rangers vs Slavia Prague – Over 9.5 First-Half Booking Points and Over 39.5 Booking Points (7/10 William Hill)
Rangers vs Slavia Prague – Allan McGregor to be carded (12/1 Bet365)
Rangers vs Slavia Prague – Ondrej Kolar to be carded (18/1 Bet365)
