Here’s our Fenerbahce Vs Rangers preview, prediction, team news and predicted lineups ahead of Thursday’s Europa League R16 first-leg clash.
Fenerbahce Vs Rangers Preview
Turkish outfit Fenerbahce are unbeaten in all competitions since 11 December, a run of 18 games.
They sit second in the Turkish Super Lig, and won 3-0 against Antalyaspor on Sunday.
That victory came without manager Jose Mourinho in the dugout, but he returns for Thursday’s Europa League last-16 tie against Rangers.
The Portuguese boss was suspended for two games following his comments about Turkish referees.
Fenerbahce have never lost to a Scottish side in Europe, and beat Rangers over two legs in the 2001 Champions League.
Rangers won their first game under new boss Barry Ferguson, but followed it up with a 2-1 defeat at home to Motherwell.
Now 16 points below rivals Celtic, the Scottish title race is well and truly over.
They have now lost three games in a row at Ibrox for the first time in more than ten years, but have been good on the road recently, winning their last three.
Rangers will hope to get past their Turkish opponents to reach the quarter-finals, going a step further than last season, when they exited at this stage against Benfica.
According to the best football betting sites in the UK, Fenerbahce are 4/6 favourites, while Rangers are the outsiders at 9/2.
Fenerbahce Vs Rangers Team News
Diego Carlos (knee) and Ismail Yuksek (muscle) are both out for Fenerbahce, joining long-term absentees Jayden Oosterwolde and Rodrigo Becao.
Both Fred and Bright Osayi-Samuel are suspended after picking up too many yellow cards, meaning Sofyan Amrabat and Mert Mulder should slot in.
With 26 goals in all competitions, top scorer Youssef En-Nesyri should start up top alongisde veteran Edin Dzeko, with Dusan Tadic in behind.
For Rangers, Oscar Cortes is out with an unknown injury, and Leon King has joined Queen’s Park on loan.
But John Souttar is expected to return from the calf issue which kept him out against Motherwell, meaning skipper James Tavernier should move back to his preferred position at right-back.
In midfield, Nedim Bajrami and Connor Barron will both be looking for a start after coming off the bench at the weekend.
Dessers and Igamane should join Hagi in attack.
Fenerbahce Vs Rangers Predicted Lineups
Real Sociedad (3-4-1-2): Egribayrat; Skriniar, Soyuncu, Akcicek; Muldur, Amrabat, Szymanski, Kostic; Tadic; En-Neysri, Dzeko
Rangers (4-2-3-1): Butland; Tavernier, Souttar, Propper, Jefte; Diomande, Raskin; Cerny, Igamane, Hagi; Dessers
Fenerbahce Vs Rangers Prediction
Hosts Fenerbahce have been in imperious form of late, and should have enough to keep their unbeaten run going.
Rangers have not had long to adapt under new boss Ferguson, and we think the challenge will be too much for them on Thursday night.
Prediction: Fenerbahce 2-1 Rangers
