Recommended bets

Rangers to win is 8/5.

Rangers to win and over 2.5 goals is 3/1.

James Tavernier has scored 15 times in UEFA competition for Rangers, seven of which have come in 2022. He is 9/1 to break the deadlock and 10/3 to add to both tallies.

Match preview

Rangers v RB Leipzig: Semi Final Leg Two – UEFA Europa League GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – MAY 05: James Tavernier of Rangers celebrates after scoring their sides first goal during the UEFA Europa League Semi Final Leg Two match between Rangers and RB Leipzig at Ibrox Stadium on May 05, 2022 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Rangers latest bid to qualify for a first Champions League group phase since 2010 begins in Belgium.

Last season, it went spectacularly wrong for the Light Blues, beaten in this round by Malmö, losing both legs 2-1.

After that though, they went on to reach the Europa League Final, agonisingly beaten on penalties by Frankfurt in Seville.

In stark contrast, hosts Royale Union Saint-Gilloise are competing on the continent for the first time since 1964.

Les Unionistes have only ever featured in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, reaching the semi-finals 62 years ago.

But, after a fairytale campaign which saw them finish second in the Belgium, USG are back on the big stage.

Nevertheless, Karel Geraerts’s team therefore come into this glamour tie as massive underdogs.

Both clubs began their respective league campaigns at the weekend.

On Friday night, Union SG overcame Charleroi 1-0, with English defender Ross Sykes the only scorer on his debut.

Then, on Saturday lunchtime, Rangers had to battle to beat Livingston 2-1 at the Tony Macaroni Arena, falling behind in the fourth minute.

Nevertheless, Scott Arfield came off the bench to head home an equaliser, before, 101 seconds later, James Tavernier won it with a stunning free-kick.

This first leg will be played at Den Dreef in Leuven because USG’s usual home Stade Joseph Marien doesn’t meet UEFA requirements.

Will Royale Union Saint-Gilloise feel at home, or will Rangers leave Belgium in control?

Union Saint-Gilloise team news

Anderlecht v Union Saint-Gilloise – Jupiler Pro League BRUSSEL, BELGIUM – JULY 25: Thierry Lazare Amani of Union Saint-Gilloise celebrate third goal for Union Saint-Gilloise this evening during the Jupiler Pro League match between Anderlecht and Union Saint-Gilloise at Lotto Park on July 25, 2021 in Brussel, Belgium (Photo by Jeroen Meuwsen/BSR Agency/Gettyimages)

As is often the case when a small club performs above expectations, many of USG’s best players have left the club.

Deniz Undav, who scored 27 goals last season, and Kacper Kozlowski have joined Brighton who are also owned by Tony Bloom.

Meanwhile, Casper Nielsen has joined champions Club Brugge for €5.5 million.

Ross Sykes, who was playing in EFL League One last season, scored on his debut on Friday and will now play Champions League football.

Gustaf Nilsson joined from Wehen Wiesbaden last week and could lead the line.

Rangers team news

Rangers v Borussia Dortmund – UEFA Europa League – Playoff – Second Leg – Ibrox Stadium Rangers’ James Tavernier celebrates scoring their side’s first goal of the game from the penalty spot during the UEFA Europa League playoff second leg match at Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow. Picture date: Thursday February 24, 2022. (Photo by Jane Barlow/PA Images via Getty Images)

Antonio Čolak made his debut up front against Livingston, having a debut goal ruled out for offside.

The Croatian helped knock Rangers out in this round 12 months ago, bagging a brace for Malmö at Ibrox.

He’s set to lead the Gers attack here with Alfredo Morelos, who wasn’t even on the bench at Almondvale, not yet back to full fitness.

Other summer signings John Souttar, Malik Tillman and Tom Lawrence all debuted at the weekend; Rabbi Matondo isn’t fit yet.

Jon McLaughlin appears now to be the number one goalkeeper, taking over from Allan McGregor who’s made 106 appearance in Europe.

Borna Barišić will continue at left-back with new signing Rıdvan Yılmaz not yet available.