The first leg of the 3rd qualifying round of the 2025/26 Champions League between Rangers (Scotland) and Viktoria Plzeň (Czech Republic) will take place on August 5 at Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow. Rangers vs. Viktoria Plzeň: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Rangers
The Scottish Premier League runners-up overcame the second-placed team of the Greek Super League in the previous Champions League stage. Russell Martin's side defeated Panathinaikos 2-0 at home and then drew 1-1 away. It's worth noting that the home victory over the Greeks remains the club's only win in their last seven Champions League matches (4 draws and 2 losses). Last season, Rangers started from the 3rd qualifying round of this European competition but lost to Dynamo Kyiv (1-1 and 0-2).
- Both teams scored in 7 of the last 9 matches of the Scots in this European competition.
- Exactly two or three goals were scored in 6 of Rangers' last 8 Champions League games over 90 minutes.
- At home, the club has not won in regular time in 6 of their last 8 matches in this tournament (2 draws and 4 losses).
Predicted lineup for Rangers (4-5-1)
Jack Butland – John Souttar, Max Aarons, Nasser Djiga, James Tavernier – Findlay Curtis, Nicolas Raskin, Joe Rothwell, Kieran Dowell, Mohamed Diomande – Danilo Pereira da Silva.
Viktoria Plzeň
The team has returned to the Champions League after three years. Recall that in the 2022/23 season, the Czechs also started from the 2nd qualifying round and eventually made it to the main draw of the tournament. In this campaign, Viktoria began their journey against Servette and advanced thanks to a victory in the return away game – 0-1 and 3-1. It is also worth mentioning that before their win in Geneva, the Czechs had a streak of 7 defeats in the Champions League.
- Three or more goals were scored in 7 of the last 9 matches of the club in this European competition.
- Viktoria conceded at least two goals in 6 of their last 8 Champions League matches over 90 minutes.
- The Czechs have not won in regular time in 11 of their last 15 away matches in this tournament (4 draws and 7 losses).
Predicted lineup for Viktoria Plzeň (3-4-3)
Florian Wiegelle – Václav Jemelka, Svetozar Marković, Sampson Dweh – Milan Havel, Adrian Zeljkovic, Lukáš Červ, Karel Spáčil – Pavel Schulz, Matěj Vydra, Rafiu Durosinmi.
Midfielder Adrian Zeljkovic is unavailable due to suspension.
Referee
Clement Turpin (France)
Matches – 16 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 47;
Average yellow cards per match – 2.9;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 21;
Penalties – 50%.
Rangers vs. Viktoria Plzeň: Match Prediction
The opponents last reached the Champions League group stage three years ago. Interestingly, both teams lost all 6 matches of the main stage back then. Moreover, in the 2022/23 Champions League, both clubs conceded at least two goals in every match.
Defense is not a strong suit for these teams. I expect both clubs to make defensive errors in the upcoming match, leading to a high-scoring game. It's also worth noting that at least three goals were scored in 8 of Rangers' last 10 home Champions League matches and in 11 of Viktoria's last 13 away games in this European competition.
My prediction – Total over 2.5 goals
