Rangers face a tough task in the second leg of their Europa League play-off with Maribor on Thursday night. The 'Gers are 2-1 down from the first leg, although Boylesports price them as 1/2 odds on favourites to win the match at Ibrox this week, while Maribor are priced 5/1 and the draw can be backed at 3/1.
The away goal from the first match will no doubt be seen as important for Rangers but we fancy Maribor could well get an away goal of their own in Scotland. Rangers might be 8/13 on to qualify for the group stages but the 6/5 on offer for Maribor to go through looks decent value, as does the 'double chance' match result of a Maribor win or draw at 7/5.
Rangers have kept three clean sheets in seven matches so far this season, although they were all away from home against pretty poor opposition in the Scottish Premier League. Furthermore, they have yet to win their two matches at home this season, against Hearts and Malmo, and all the pressure is on them at Ibrox.
They do welcome Lee McCulloch, Maurice Edu and Carlos Bocanegra back into their squad this week and there should be some added spice to the fixture after Maribor questioned whether Bocanegra is allowed to play following his recent move to Scotland.
UEFA decided that Bocanegra does have the relevant paperwork to play in the competition, although David Weir, Kyle Bartley and Sasa Papac are out injured, while Steven Whittaker is suspended.
Rangers will no doubt look to talisman Nikica Jelavic for goals after his 19 goal season last year and he is 11/4 favourite to score first with Boyles.
The worry for Rangers will be ensuring Maribor don't score an away goal and the Slovenian side certainly look capable of scoring as they have scored in ten of their last eleven European matches.
They snatched victory over Rangers last week thanks to a last minute Etien Velikonja goal and he was on target again at the weekend as Maribor warmed up for their trip to Scotland with a 6-0 win over Mura 05 in the Slovenian League. Velikonja scored two goals on Sunday and he looks tempting at 8/1 to be first goalscorer, while Agim Ibraimi has scored three goals in his last two appearances and looks great value at 14/1 in the same market with Boylesports.com.
The Slovenian champions certainly look capable of coming away from Ibrox with a result, particularly as Ally McCoist may have to field several younger players. The correct score of 1-1 at 13/2 could be worth a look, and if Rangers and Celtic do lose their respective Europa League matches it would be the first time in history that there is no Scottish team in Europe beyond August.
Rangers v Maribor Tips
Tip #1: Maribor to qualify for the group stages @ 6/5 with Boylesports.com
Tip #2: Double chance of a Maribor win or draw @ 7/5 with Boylesports.com
Tip #3: Agim Ibraimi to score first (each-way) @ 14/1 with Boylesports.com
Match Odds
1/2 Rangers
3/1 Draw
5/1 Maribor
To Qualify Odds
8/13 Rangers
6/5 Maribor
Correct Score Odds
5/1 Rangers 1-0
11/2 Rangers 2-0
15/2 Rangers 2-1
9/1 Draw 0-0
13/2 Draw 1-1
20/1 Draw 2-2
12/1 Maribor 1-0
33/1 Maribor 2-0
18/1 Maribor 2-1
First Goalscorer Odds
11/4 Nikica Jelavic
4/1 Kyle Lafferty
9/2 David Healy
5/1 James Beattie
5/1 Kane Hemmings
6/1 Juan Manuel Ortiz
15/2 John Fleck
15/2 Steven Davis
8/1 Etien Velikonja
8/1 Dalibor Volas
10/1 Robert Beric
Odds supplied by Boylesports.com, who provide a variety of betting markets, including live betting in-running, for all of the week's Europa League matches.
Posted: Thursday, 25th August 2011
Author: Chris James
Tags: europa league, rangers, maribor, nikica jelavic, boylesports,
 | Dnipro V Fulham Betting Ukrainian Side Favourites To Win Second Leg Fulham in control of tie after comfortable first leg win | 24th Aug |
 | Stoke V Thun Betting Back Tony Puliss Men To Secure A Narrow Win Low scoring match looks to be in store at the Britannia | 24th Aug |
 | Tottenham V Hearts Betting Back Pavlyuchenko To Score First At White Hart Lane Spurs win to nil looks a good bet for the second leg | 24th Aug |
 | Birmingham V Nacional Streaming Betting Is Tight For Second Leg At St Andrews Portuguese side coud nick an away goal and qualification | 24th Aug |
| Scunthorpe V Newcastle Odds Demba Ba Favourite To Score First Newcastle look to avoid an upset at Glanford Park | 24th Aug |
Headline News
| Euro 2012 Top Goalscorer Betting Preview Mario Gomez Favourite To Land Golden Boot Robin Van Persie In The Mix At The Head Of The Betting |
 | Bonfire Clipped In The Latest Epsom Derby Betting Following Key Trial Win 2000 Guineas Winner Camelot Remains Favourite |
 | Andre Villas Boas Eased Out In The Latest Liverpool Manager Betting Roberto Martinez Firms Up As An Evens Favourite |
 | West Ham Odds On To Stay Up On Return To The Premier League Next Season Hammers Short Priced For A Bottom Half Finish Though |
 | Russian Grannies Lead Eurovision Semi Final Odds Jedward Ready For Battle |
BRAND NEW £250 free bets offer.
Open Account - Free £250 Bets With Paddypower
£25 free bet with William Hill.
Open Account - Claim £25 Free With William Hill
Claim a massive £50 free bet with teh leading bookmaker Ladbrokes
Open Account - Free £50 Bet at Ladbrokes
The UK based bookmaker Betfred is now offering a £50 free bet for new clients.
Open Account - Free £50 Bet With Betfred
New £50 free bet offer.
Open Account - Free £50 Bet With Coral
BetVictor is offering £100 in free bets to all new clients.
Open Account - Open Account - Free £100 Bets With BetVictor
Up to £200 worth of free bets with Bet365.
Open Account - Claim £200 Free With Bet365
Those looking for some online casino entertainment ought to check out all the latest UK Casino Sign Up offers from the top operators including 32Red and many of the sports betting casinos.
There is excellent information, should you be interested in playing online blackjack, roulette, the best progressives or slots - Online Casino Betting with the best introductory offers
Bookmark This Page