Europa League | League Stage

Sep 26, 2024 at 5.45pm UK

Eleda Stadion (Malmo)

Malmovs.Rangers

Match preview

Both clubs came up short in their attempts to reach the Champions League this season, losing in the qualifiers, but Malmo's form since their playoff elimination has been excellent.

Henrik Rydstrom's side are cruising to the title in Sweden, and they have not conceded a goal in four league games since losing to Sparta Prague at the end of August.

What is more impressive is those four games have all come against teams with European potential, including 4-0 wins over Djurgardens and Hacken, and goalless draws away to GAIS and AIK.

With just six games to play, Malmo are a whopping 11 points clear at the top, which could allow Rydstrom the room to prioritise the Europa League from here on in.

Improving form on the continent will be a big aim, as Malmo have lost nine of their last 12 games in Europe.

The Swedes stumbled through Champions League qualifying, progressing despite losing away to part-timers KI Klaksvik, and only beating PAOK 6-5 on aggregate, but Sparta was a step too far as Malmo fell at the final hurdle.

After missing out on Europe entirely last season though, playing eight games throughout the autumn and the winter will be most welcome, but they will hope to improve on their group-stage exit in the 2022-23 Europa League.

Being drawn against Rangers and Slavia Prague, arguably the two weakest teams in pot one, will give them belief that they can at least finish in the top 24 to seal a knockout place, with it estimated that nine points from the eight games could be enough.

Rangers will have similar ambitions, especially having been seeded in pot one, but they must recover from a very disappointing start to the season.

A 3-0 thrashing in the first Old Firm derby of the season was the nightmare scenario for the Gers, who now find themselves five points behind Celtic already, having also dropped points against Hearts on the opening day.

The most devastating result was that in Champions League qualifying against Dynamo Kiev, when an extremely contentious red card led to their elimination, losing 2-0 in the second leg at Hampden Park, meaning they have still only reached Europe's top-tier competition once since they reformed in the fourth tier.

Their Europa League performances have provided plenty of joy in recent years though, as they were finalists back in 2022, and were only beaten by a solitary goal by Benfica in the round of 16 last season.

Clement's side prepared for this encounter with a 3-0 win over Dundee in the cup over the weekend, but it was the fixture the week previous which was important, as it saw them earn a much-needed away win, beating Dundee United 1-0, ending a run of six without victory on the road, as Rangers have won just three away matches in seven months.

With form like that, regardless of the result here, Rangers will be delighted to see that five of their next six games, after this trip to Sweden, will be at Ibrox, including their matchday two and three fixtures in this competition.

Recent Performance

Malmo form (all competitions):DLWDDW

Rangers form (all competitions):LWWLWW

Injuries and suspensions

Malmo

4 Niklas Moisander

3 Anton Tinnerholm

6 Oscar Lewicki

29 Sead Haksabanovic

21 Stefano Holmquist Vecchia

Rangers

3 Rıdvan Yılmaz

43 Nicolas Raskin

17 Rabbi Matondo

99 Danilo

Possible starting lineups

Malmo(4-2-3-1)

27 Dahlin(GK)

17 Stryger Larsen(DR)

18Jansson(DC)

19Rosler(DC)

25Busanello(DL)

23Johnson（MD）

8 Pena(MD)

10Christiansen(AMR)

16 Oliver Berg（AMC）

38Botheim(AML)

9Kiese Thelin(FW)

Rangers (4-3-3)

1Butland(GK)

2 Tavernier(DR)

5 Souttar(DC)

4 Propper(DC)

22Jefte(DL)

8Barron(MC)

10Diomande(MC)

11Lawrence(MC)

14Bajrami(WR)

9Dessers(FW)

18Cerny(WL)