Europa League, League Phase, Thursday, 24.10.2024 at 21:00
In my Glasgow Rangers FCSB predictions for the Europa League group stage, we take a look at the intermediate score as well as one or two great sports betting bonuses.
What I have already decided on early in my Glasgow Rangers FCSB prediction, however, is to place a goal bet on the Romanians. Because in my opinion, the chances are good that Steaua Bucharest will strike again internationally.
Let’s take a look at the form curve of both teams. On paper, it looks like Rangers have an advantage with their experience in European competitions.
But as we now know, a good position in the Scottish Premiership really doesn’t have to mean much.
After Celtic’s disastrous 7-1 defeat to Dortmund and their own 4-1 loss to Lyon in the Europa League, it should be clear that the leap to the international stage is not easy for Glasgow clubs.
It shows that the rules are different in Europe, and you have to be careful
On the other hand, we have Steaua Bucharest, the Champions League winners from the distant 1986, who can no longer be underestimated just because they play in the Romanian league.
Sure, the 4:1 home win against RFS on matchday 1 didn’t knock anyone’s socks off, as the Latvian club has far too little reputation for that.
But the subsequent 1:0 away win against PAOK? That had it all!
And believe me, if you get three points against the strong Greeks, then it shouldn’t be much harder for FCSB to take points from the Ibrox Stadium.
The form speaks for the Eastern Europeans, and their previous performances in the Europa League have clearly demonstrated the team’s potential.
You know what else is interesting? The betting providers without tax seem to massively underestimate Steaua, and this is also reflected in the Glasgow Rangers FCSB odds.
For example, the provider will pay you odds of 1.65 on average if Steaua score just one goal.
Has word not yet gotten around on the betting markets that FCSB has scored at least one goal in all nine European Cup matches this season?
Even against strong opponents such as PAOK, Slavia Prague or LASK.
So, watch out: If you also want to go for an away goal, you could score well here! Incidentally, it would come as no surprise if both teams were to score.
Another point to bear in mind: Steaua Bucharest have conceded just one goal this season despite conceding the sixth-highest number of shots (38) in the Europa League.
This defensive stability, coupled with their ability to score goals, makes FCSB a dangerous opponent.
This is precisely why I prefer a Romanian goal to a “both teams meet” bet. I think a Romanian victory is more likely than a 1-1 draw, for example.
Although Rangers will of course want to keep the points in their own stadium, they will have to work hard to do so.
In recent encounters with Scottish teams, including two wins against Motherwell, FCSB have shown that they know how to hold their own against Premiership teams.
As a result, it should be clear why I’m leaning towards a counter bet given the current Glasgow Rangers FCSB odds, which in my eyes favor the hosts far too heavily.
In this case, a counter bet means nothing other than a classic “double chance X2” on the Romanians, which with a bit of luck would give you attractive odds of around 2.55.
Conclusion: According to my Glasgow Rangers FCSB prediction, my final assessment is that the visiting team will score.
After all, FCSB have scored in every single European Cup match this season, including the qualifying round, even against strong opponents.
This speaks for their offensive strength and ability to take chances. Furthermore, Rangers conceded four goals against Lyon on the last EL matchday, which points to weaknesses in their defense.
The bookmakers may therefore have made a mistake by favoring the Scots so heavily. Steaua will certainly want to attack and take their chances to score early on.
My tip: FCSB scores
