SCOTTISH football aficionado Gerry Taylor (@thefurlongpole) shares his verdict on Thursday night's Europa League action between Slavia Prague and Rangers.
Slavia Prague vs Rangers | Thursday 11th March 2020, 17:55 | BT Sport
This Europa League last 16 tie could turn out to be a cracker, with both sides fancying their chances of grabbing a quarter-final berth.
The Red and Whites, similar to their opponents, are top and unbeaten in the Czech Liga, currently nine points clear of their rivals Sparta. The hosts should have a full squad to choose from for this clash.
The Gers actually clinched the Scottish Premiership title on Sunday, and will be feeling good about themselves. The visitors could be missing four players though, Leon Balogun through suspension, whilst Kemar Roofe, James Tavernier and Ryan Jack are injury doubts.
The Teddy Bears were involved in a thrilling last 32 head to head with Antwerp, qualifying with an a 9-5 aggregate scoreline. There could be plenty of goals in this tie also as both will see this as a great opportunity to go deep in the competition.
Slavia have scored in all but one of their last 15 matches at the Sinobo Stadium, only being shut out by Leicester City. Steven Gerrard's charges have netted in an impressive 22 consecutive matches on the road in all competitions. So I am really expecting a few goals in this one, with both sides contributing.
So for the man bet – Over 2.5 Goals and Both Teams To Scores eems a good angle in at 7/5 with William Hills.
The young Senagalese striker Abdallah Sima has had a great season thus far – bagging 11 goals in the league in the equivalent of 13 league games. He has been just as lethal in the Europa League with 4 goals in his 549 minutes, including a goal in the knocking out of Leicester in the last 32. With this in mind, the 23/10 that Paddy Power are offering for Sima to score anytime, looks decent to me.
The Romanian Nicolae Stanciu looks also worth an interest at 9/2 with William Hills to score anytime. The midfielder is the hosts penalty taker, and has scored 7 goals in the league, and is one goal in 350 minutes in the Europa this season.
On a similar theme for the visitors, Croatian Borna Barisic, may also be worth an anytime goalscorer interest at 6/1 with Unibet. Very adept from dead ball situations, the left-back has grabbed 5 goals for the Gers this season.
Given that either of these teams could qualify, it could pay to throw a few darts at the goalscorer markets in this clash.
Best Bets
Slavia Prague vs Rangers – Over 2.5 Goals and Both Teams To Score (7/5 William Hill)
Slavia Prague vs Rangers – Abdullah Sima to score at anytime (23/10 Paddy Power)
Slavia Prague vs Rangers – Nicolae Stanciu to score at anytime (9/2 William Hill)
Slavia Prague vs Rangers – Borna Barisic to score at anytime (6/1 Unibet)
