Europa League: Crucial night as Old Firm target European football after Christmas

“Interestingly, Vienna have never beaten Rangers in three previous attempts, including that 3-1 at Ibrox in early October”

Rapid Vienna v Rangers
Thursday, 17:55
Live on BT Sport

It’s the final Europa League group match of the campaign and it will also be the final involvement in the tournament for one of these two sides. Rapid Vienna have the advantage heading into the night with the luxury of a home draw added to a one-point cushion over their opponents. Win this match and Vienna will go through to the knockout stages, possibly as Group G champions, draw and they’ll hold their opponents and sneak past the post.

The Green-Whites were beaten 3-1 by Rangers at Ibrox earlier in the year on what was a painful experience for all in the away dressing room, but they have a real shot at revenge over the Scots in the best possible fashion, ending their faint hopes of a trip to Baku on 29 May. Vienna slipped to a goalless draw with Sturm Graz in the Austrian Bundesliga on Sunday. Disappointing, but they’d take a repeat performance on Thursday.

Rangers fans have endured a rollercoaster ride since holding on for a 0-0 at home to La Liga side Villarreal when last in Europa League action. The blues hit top of the league in December with a win over Hearts at Tynecastle but weren’t there for long, losing to Aberdeen in front of their own fans before stumbling to a 1-1 away to lowly Dundee who played most of the afternoon with 10 men. Followers felt let down and, as we approach Christmas, Celtic are two points clear with a game in hand.

That puts the pressure on Rangers to give supporters something to cheer on Thursday night but winning on the road in this competition is no mean feat. Stats of one win, three draws and a defeat at the hands of Spartak Moscow places Rangers third in a group where just two points separates leaders Villarreal and bottom club Moscow. There’s all to play for heading into the night and we’re set for a thrilling conclusion to what has been an entertaining campaign. Can Rangers upset the odds and fire themselves into the round of 32?

Punters don’t seem overly confident and despite the Glasgow side losing only once in this competition so far, including a marathon qualifying journey, the away win is [3.1] second favourite on the Betfair Exchange. That’s seen as a more likely outcome than the draw, but there’s not a lot in it with a share marked [3.6]. The latter is sure to attract attention given the fact it would be enough to send Vienna through.

Rapid Vienna are favourites to finish things off with a home win and those looking to stick with the Austrians can have [2.34] on the Exchange. One for your Thursday night multiples, perhaps. Interestingly, Vienna have never beaten Rangers in three previous attempts, including that 3-1 at Ibrox in early October, the previous two resulted at 1-0 and 2-0 in Rangers’ favour.

Celtic v Salzburg
Thursday, 20:00
Live on BT Sport

It’s the final roll of the dice for Celtic at Parkhead on Thursday night as they face runaway Group B leaders Red Bull Salzburg in another pool that has gone right down to the wire. Celtic set-up for the night having won three and lost two of their five so far but with two of those victories coming in their last two starts there’s real confidence in the stands that The Hoops can bag a place in the next round.

Brendan Rodgers will be keen to ensure his players concentrate fully on themselves but there’s a lot going on with Salzburg – currently 5-0-0 – already through to the next round, Rosenborg – 0-0-5 – already out and RB Leipzig just three points behind. If Salzburg and Leipzig win it’ll mean both Red Bull sponsored sides progress, and that shouldn’t be ignored. The Bhoys lost 3-1 in the reverse of this fixture back in October.

Red Bull Salzburg have dominated this group since the start and will enjoy the luxury of a night off in Glasgow, if they want it, having already confirmed their place in the next round as champions. Five games, five wins and 15 goals scored is impressive but it’s the goals against tally that offers Celtic a bit of hope with the visitors conceding an average of a goal a game. Will the locals take advantage?

The visiting side are also strong leaders of the Austrian Bundesliga, having won 14 and drawn three of their first 17 but they had to settle for a share of the spoils at the weekend when held to a 2-2 away to FC Admira Wacker Modling. Another draw is a result that would suit both teams on Thursday, protecting the proud unbeaten record of Salzburg while helping their hosts qualify.

Worryingly for home fans, this will be the fourth recorded competitive meeting of Celtic and Salzburg and the Scots have yet to register a win with the head-to-head numbers stuck at Salzburg 2-0 Celtic with one draw. Despite that, the home win is favourite on the Betfair Exchange with backers able to get their hands on [2.58], the draw priced [3.2].

That’ll catch the attention of value hunters keen on an upset and the [3.05] available on the Exchange about an away win looks value. There’s little doubt that if Salzburg play to the best of their abilities in an attempt to finish with a perfect record and give RB Leipzig a helping hand they have more than enough quality in the squad to do that. If they take their foot off the gas now they are through, Celtic will make them pay. The price on top of the group is too good to miss.