Match Preview for Rangers v Genk
Rangers and Genk will begin their Europa League league phase campaigns on Thursday night at Ibrox Stadium.
The Scottish side dropped into the competition after a crushing 9-1 aggregate defeat to Club Brugge in the Champions League play-offs.
Meanwhile, Genk secured their spot with a 6-3 aggregate victory over Lech Poznan in the Europa League play-off round.
Rangers’ season has been turbulent so far under new manager Russell Martin. After replacing Barry Ferguson in the summer, the former Southampton boss has yet to inspire the Scottish side.
The Gers sit 11th in the Premiership after failing to win any of their opening five league games, and they suffered humiliation in Europe with that heavy defeat to Brugge.
There was, however, a glimmer of positivity last time out, when Rangers ended a five-game winless run by beating Hibernian 2-0 in the Scottish League Cup quarter-finals.
Martin will be eager to build on that result and claim his first back-to-back victories as Rangers boss.
Genk, on the other hand, stumbled at the end of last season after topping the Belgian Pro League heading into the split, eventually slipping to third. Thorsten Fink’s side have endured a sluggish start to this campaign too, winning just three of their opening 10 matches across all competitions.
They sit 14th in the league with only eight points, although they did at least seal their Europa League group-stage spot against Poznan.
Team news for Rangers v Genk
Rangers are still missing Dujon Sterling, who is sidelined until the new year with an Achilles injury. Max Aarons will also sit this one out after being sent off in the Champions League playoff defeat to Club Brugge. Captain James Tavernier is therefore set to slot in at right-back.
Bojan Miovski finally got off the mark for Rangers in the win over Hibernian and is expected to lead the line again. He should be supported by Mikey Moore, Thelo Aasgaard and Djeidi Gassama.
Genk are without Konstantinos Karetsas, who has a back injury, while Daan Heymans and Yira Collins Sor remain doubtful. Their main attacking outlet has been right-back Zakaria El Ouahdi, who has already scored four goals in the league this season.
Expected line-ups for Rangers v Genk
Rangers: Butland; Tavernier, Souttar, Cornelius, Meghoma; Diomande, Raskin; Moore, Aasgaard, Gassama; Miovski
Genk: Lawal; Ouahdi, Sadick, Smets, Ditu; Bangoura, Heynen; Ito, Steuckers, Adedeji-Sternberg; Oh
How to watch Rangers v Genk: TV channel, online stream
Rangers v Genk will kick-off at 8pm on Thursday evening and is available to watch on TNT Sports 2. UK fans can also stream it on the discovery+ app.
The stats for Rangers v Genk
- Rangers have won only one of their last six matches in all competitions
- Russell Martin’s side conceded nine goals across two legs against Club Brugge
- Genk are winless in their last three games heading into this fixture
- Zakaria El Ouahdi has been Genk’s top scorer so far this season, with four goals from right-back
- Rangers are unbeaten in their last four Europa League home openers
Prediction
Rangers have struggled for consistency, but the win against Hibernian and the backing of the Ibrox crowd could give them an edge.
Genk have also been short of form, which may tip the balance in the Gers’ favour in what should be a closely contested match.