The Matchday 1 fixture of the Europa League 2025/26 group stage between Rangers (Scotland) and Genk (Belgium) will take place on September 25 at Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow. Rangers vs. Genk: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Rangers
The Scots have kicked off their Champions League campaign from the early stages for the fifth consecutive season. However, they only managed to get past Panathinaikos and Viktoria Plzen. In the playoff for the main stage of the Champions League, Russell Martin's side surprisingly fell easily to Club Brugge, losing 1-3 and 0-6. Last season, Rangers also played in the Europa League group stage, finishing in 8th place with 4 wins and 2 draws in 8 matches. They reached the quarter-finals of the tournament, where they were knocked out by Athletic (0-0 and 0-2).
- The club has not won in regular time in 5 of their last 7 matches in this European competition (2 draws and 3 losses).
- Rangers have not scored more than 1 goal in 90 minutes in 6 of their last 8 home matches in the Europa League.
- The Scots have not won the second half in 8 of their last 9 matches in this tournament (5 draws and 3 losses).
Predicted lineup for Rangers (4-2-3-1)
Jack Butland – John Souttar, James Tavernier, Derek Cornelius, Jayden Megoma – Nicolas Raskin, Mohamed Diomande – Jayden Gassama, Mikey Moore, Telo Osgard – Bojan Miovski.
Defender Dujon Sterling and midfielder Lyall Cameron will miss the match due to injuries. Defender Max Aarons is suspended.
Genk
The Belgians started from the playoff stage of the Europa League group stage thanks to their 3rd place finish in their domestic league. Thorsten Fink's team easily overcame Lech, defeating the Poles with a comprehensive away victory (5-1 and 1-2). Last year, the club did not participate in European competitions, and the season before, they qualified for the group stage of the Conference League, but with 9 points, they did not advance to the next stage of European competitions.
- In their last 9 Europa League matches, the club has only managed 1 win in regular time (3 draws and 5 losses).
- Genk has not scored more than 1 goal in 90 minutes in 10 of their last 12 games in this European competition.
- Away, the Belgians have not lost in regular time in 6 of their last 8 away matches in this tournament (3 wins and 3 draws).
Predicted lineup for Genk (4-2-3-1)
Tobias Laval – Zakaria El Ouahdi, Mujaid Sadick, Matte Smets, Joris Kayembe – Nicolas Zattleberger, Bryan Heynen – Patrik Hrosovsky, Jarne Stekkers, Junya Ito – Youssef Erabi.
Referee
Matej Jug (Slovenia)
Matches – 14 (International matches, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 64;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.6;
Red cards shown – 3;
Average fouls per match – 26;
Penalties – 29%.
Rangers vs. Genk: Match Prediction
The Scots are regular participants in European competitions, consistently reaching the spring stages of continental tournaments. Most of their progress to the later stages has been due to strong performances at home. In their last 8 European matches, Rangers have been unbeaten at Ibrox 7 times (4 wins and 3 draws).
Genk has managed to qualify for European competitions every other year over the past 6 years. However, they have never progressed to the playoffs. The team struggles mainly due to poor away performances. In their last 16 away matches in European competitions, the Belgians have only secured 3 wins (5 draws and 8 losses). Therefore, with some caution, I suggest a handicap on the home side.
My prediction – Rangers with a handicap (0)
