Jablonec vs Rangers Predictions
Jablonec have a one-goal deficit to overturn when they host Rangers in the second leg of their Conference League playoff tie on Thursday.
While they might fail to progress, I expect the hosts to at least avoid defeat in a likely low-scoring contest.
A home win or draw is my best bet in Czechia.
Jablonec Backed To Avoid Defeat
- Jablonec are unbeaten in 7 of their last 9 matches
- Jablonec are unbeaten in 9 of their last 10 home matches (European competitions)
- Jablonec have seen under 3.5 goals in 8 of their last 9 matches
- Rangers failed to win their last 9 away matches (European competitions)
- Rangers have seen under 3.5 goals in 5 of their last 6 matches
Rangers Lead Head to Head Record
Jablonec and Rangers have met on just one previous occasion. Rangers claimed a 1-0 victory in last Thursday’s first leg at Ibrox.
Jablonec Remain in Contention
Jablonec return to Stadion Srelnice with their hopes of reaching the Conference League league phase still very much alive.
Lubos Kozel’s men produced a competitive performance at Ibrox but fell to a 1-0 defeat in Glasgow. While relatively secure at the back, the Czech side lacked quality in the final third.
Jablonec registered only five efforts on goal, forcing Rangers goalkeeper Ivor Pandur into just two saves, despite the hosts being reduced to ten men in the second half.
Before last Thursday’s narrow defeat, Jablonec had arrived in Glasgow on the back of six successive competitive victories.
The Czech side won 2-0 in both of their home Conference League qualifiers against Varazdin and RFS, while they have conceded only two goals in their last six fixtures.
Bidding to reach the Conference League group phase for the first time since 2021, Jablonec were unbeaten in all four home games during their previous appearance in the competition.
Rangers Take Slender Lead to Czech Republic
Rangers make the trip to the Czech Republic with a narrow advantage after securing successive victories for the first time this season.
Ryan Naderi’s first-half goal proved the difference in Glasgow as the Gers secured a 1-0 first-leg victory in Glasgow.
While Rangers deserved their victory, Derek McInnes’s side produced another laboured display, registering only four efforts on target. A second-half red card for Cammy Devlin hindered the Gers as an attacking force, but they held on for a crucial win at Ibrox.
The Glasgow giants had enjoyed a dominant 5-1 League Cup victory against St Mirren before last Thursday’s tight first-leg. Rangers failed to win their first four games of the season before their uptick in form over the past fortnight.
On the road, Rangers have struggled, both domestically and on the continent in the last year or so. The Scots lost eight of their last nine away European fixtures, including a 2-1 defeat at Jagiellonia Białystok in the Europa League qualifiers last month.
Jablonec vs Rangers Team News
Jablonec: (4-2-3-1) Jan Hanus; Martin Cedidla, Nemanja Tekijaski, Dominik Pavlovic, Jiri Slama; Richard Sedlacek, Sebastian Nebyla; Vakhtang Chanturishvili, Jan Suchan, Matej Polidar; Lamin Jawo
Jablonec boss Lubos Kozel has a fully fit squad available for Thursday’s Conference League play-off contest.
Filip Zorvan and Hugo Ahl are potential alternatives should the hosts freshen their selection this week.
Rangers: (4-3-3) Ivor Pandur; Dujon Sterling, Olwethu Makhanya, Emmanuel Fernandez, James Penrice; Vanja Dragojevic, Dan Neil, Tochi Chukwuani; Daisuke Yokota, Ryan Naderi, Djeidi Gassama
Rangers manager McInnes has no new injury issues, but is unable to call on Cammy Devlin, who is suspended following his first-leg red card.
Portuguese forward Youssef Chermiti remains sidelined after suffering an ACL injury earlier this month. Ben Godfrey is back in training but unlikely to feature.
German forward Ryan Naderi should retain his place after scoring the winner at Ibrox.
Rangers boss Derek McInnes admitted he was frustrated by his side’s first-half display in last week’s encounter.
“I was disappointed with a lot of the first half; we didn't have any real impetus or concerted pressure.
“We needed to bring a bit more intelligence but also be a bit more enthusiastic with some of our tempo. I thought we were far better in the second half; we connected the game better and gave us a far better chance of causing them problems.
“I don't think they caused us too many problems in terms of goalmouth chances.”