Brann vs Rangers kick-off, date & TV info
Date Thursday, October 23
Kick-off 5.45pm
Venue Brann Stadion, Bergen
Competition Europa League
TV TNT Sports 2
Rangers begin life under new head coach Danny Rohl when they head to Norway to take on Brann in the Europa League on Thursday.
Rohl has succeeded Russell Martin in the Ibrox dugout and he has had little time to settle into his new surroundings, with this crunch clash coming just three days after his appointment.
Given the Gers have lost their opening two matches in the league phase, the pressure is on Rohl to deliver a positive result, but it won’t be easy, with the Norwegians having won five on the spin at home.
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Brann vs Rangers betting tips & predictions
Best bet
Brann
2pts 21-20 general
Anytime goalscorer
Bard Finne anytime goalscorer
1pt 7-4 William Hill
Longshot
Brann to win 2-1
1pt 15-2 general
Brann vs Rangers preview
The short-term goal is an obvious one for new Rangers head coach Danny Rohl, he needs to win matches and quickly.
Under previous boss Russell Martin, Rangers triumphed in just five of 17 games, while they also failed to deliver against Dundee United at the weekend with interim boss Steven Smith in charge, relying on a late equaliser to draw 2-2.
That result leaves Gers sixth in the William Hill Scottish Premiership standings and they are also off the pace in the Europa League, losing their opening two matches in the league phase to Genk (1-0) and Sturm Graz (2-1).
While not quite in must-win territory, the Light Blues need to quickly start picking up points if they are to progress to the knockout stages, but one away win all season means they are hardly heading to Bergen with much confidence.
Like Rangers, Brann lost out in Champions League qualifying, but they came through two rounds to reach the Europa League proper and have performed well so far.
After being narrowly edged out away to Lille on Matchday One, Freyr Alexandersson’s side beat Utrecht 1-0 on home soil in their last European fixture and their recent record in Bergen is impressive.
Brann have won five matches on the spin at home, and while Rangers were stumbling against Dundee United at the weekend, the Pride of Bergen were putting four past Haugesund to remain in with an outside chance of being crowned Norwegian champions for the first time since 2007.
This match could be coming too soon for Rohl, who has barely got his foot through the door at Ibrox, and Brann can add to the Glasgow gloom by claiming the points.
Finne to step up to the plate for hosts
Brann’s two goals in the league phase of the Europa League have been scored by Saevar Magnusson, but the Iceland star injured his knee in the latest international break, opening the door for fellow forward Bard Finne.
Finne grabbed his opportunity against Haugesund, netting a brace to take his tally for the season into double figures, and a first continental goal of the campaign could soon be forthcoming for the Norway international.
Narrow home win expected
Brann have won five home matches on the spin across all competitions, but four of those successes have been by a one-goal margin, including a 2-1 victory over AEK Larnaca in the Europa League playoff round.
Rangers’ two defeats in this competition have also been by a one-goal margin and after losing 2-1 at Sturm Graz on Matchday Two, they could suffer a similar fate in Norway.
Brann vs Rangers Bet Builder
Both teams to score
Rangers have netted in four consecutive matches and the only time they have failed to score across their last six games was in a 1-0 defeat to Genk when they played more than half the match with ten men. For their part, Brann have scored in ten of their last 11 matches.
Bard Finne anytime goalscorer
Norway international Finne took his tally for the season into double figures with his brace against Haugesund at the weekend and with fellow forward Magnusson still out injured, he can once again step up to the plate.
Djeidi Gassama 3+ shots
Gassama is a player Rohl knows well from their time together at Sheffield Wednesday and the winger has been a rare bright spark for Rangers this season, scoring five European goals and firing off more shots than any other Gers player in the William Hill Scottish Premiership.
Pays out at 7-2 with bet365
Key stats for Brann vs Rangers
♦ Brann have wonWe also each of their last five home matches across all competitions
♦ It is just five wins in 18 for Rangers this season and only one of those successes has come on the road
♦ Rangers have lost both matches in the league phase of the Europa League
♦ Brann knocked out St Mirren in Conference League qualifying last season
♦ Rangers are unbeaten in four previous meetings with Norwegian opposition, although the most recent of those clashes came in 2006
Brann vs Rangers betting odds
Sign up with Betfair to bet on Brann vs Rangers in the Europa League. Here are the latest odds for Thursday’s match.
Odds correct at time of publishing
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Brann vs Rangers team news and predicted line-ups
Brann
As well as being without forward Magnusson, Brann are also missing Niklas Castro, Niklas Jensen Wassberg, Jonas Torsvik, Felix Horn Myhre and Sakarias Opsahl.
Predicted line-up (4-4-2): Dyngeland; De Roeve, Knudsen, Helland, Soltvedt; Kornvig, Sorensen, Gudmundsson, Holm; Mathisen, Finne.
Subs: Bramel, Boakye, Sery Larsen, Dragsnes, Pedersen, Sande, Haaland, Hansen.
Rangers
Rohl could ring the changes for his first match in charge of Rangers but Dujon Sterling, Mohamed Diomande and Rabbi Matondo remain sidelined.
Predicted line-up (4-2-3-1): Butland; Tavernier, Souttar, Cornelius, Meghoma; Rothwell, Raskin; Antman, Aasgaard, Gassama; Miovski.
Subs: Kelly, Aarons, Djiga, Barron, Bajrami, Cameron, Curtis, Chermiti, Moore.
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FAQs for Brann vs Rangers
When is Brann vs Rangers in the Europa League?
The match kicks off at 5.45pm on Thursday, October 23.
Where is Brann vs Rangers being played?
Thursday’s contest is taking place at Brann Stadion in Bergen, Norway.
Where can I watch Brann vs Rangers?
There is live coverage of Brann vs Rangers on TNT Sports 2.
What is the match betting for Brann vs Rangers?
Rangers are 21-10 to make a winning start under Danny Rohl, while Brann are 10-11 to spoil the party on home soil. The draw is priced at 21-10.
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