Viktoria Plzen v Rangers – Line-ups, stats and preview
Rangers can take a step towards the league phase
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Viktoria Plzen v Rangers match preview
Rangers will take a commanding three-goal advantage into Tuesday’s Champions League third qualifying round second leg against Viktoria Plzen.
Despite an inconsistent start to their domestic campaign, the Glasgow side have looked sharp on the European stage.
Their 3-0 victory at Ibrox last week featured a standout debut from Oliver Antman – signed just a day before the game – who provided an assist for one of Djeidi Gassama’s goals.
Cyriel Dessers added a first-half penalty, sealing a result that puts them within touching distance of the play-off round.
That win followed their 3-1 aggregate triumph over Panathinaikos in the previous round, keeping alive hopes of reaching the Champions League’s new league phase for the first time.
A meeting with either Red Bull Salzburg or Club Brugge awaits if they progress.
Russell Martin’s men, however, have stumbled in the Scottish Premiership, drawing 1-1 at Motherwell on the opening day and needing a late James Tavernier penalty to rescue another point against Dundee on Saturday.
Plzen, runners-up in last season’s Czech league, have mixed domestic form this term, starting with a 5-1 win over Pardubice before draws against Jablonec and Slovacko.
Their European campaign began in shaky fashion with a home defeat to Servette, but they turned the tie around in Geneva.
Having reached the Champions League group stage five times before, they now face the likelihood of dropping into the Europa League unless they can stage a remarkable turnaround.
Team news for Viktoria Plzen v Rangers
Rangers defender Max Aarons has recovered from a minor issue and could compete with Jefte for a starting berth on the left.
Thelo Aasgaard and Hamza Igamane remain unavailable, with Igamane still absent since facing Panathinaikos due to a visa problem.
Young forward Mikey Moore, on loan from Tottenham, is awaiting international clearance ahead of his potential debut.
Centre-back Nasser Djiga, suspended domestically after his red card against Dundee, is available in Europe and expected to start alongside John Souttar.
Plzen are boosted by the return of midfielder Adrian Zeljkovic, back from suspension after being sent off against Servette.
They will again be without former talisman Pavel Sulc, who has moved to Lyon. Teenager Jiri Panos is set to supply attacking duo Rafiu Durosinmi and Matej Vydra, while Ghanaian youngster Prince Adu is another attacking option.
Expected line-ups for Viktoria Plzen v Rangers
Viktoria Plzen: Wiegle; Dweh, Markovic, Jemelka; Memic, Zeljkovic, Cerv, Spacil; Panos; Durosinmi, Vydra
Rangers: Butland; Tavernier, Djiga, Souttar, Jefte; Cameron, Rothwell, Raskin; Antman, Dessers, Gassama
How to watch Viktoria Plzen v Rangers: TV channel, online stream
Kick-off is at 18:00 BST (13:00 ET / 10:00 PT), which live coverage in the UK on Solidsport, which costs four euros a month or 10 euros per year.
Fans overseas can watch on RangersTV. In the UK, the service is priced at £6 a month, £30 for six months or £60 annually.
The stats for Viktoria Plzen v Rangers
- Rangers in Europe 2025: Unbeaten so far, winning both legs against Panathinaikos before the 3-0 home victory over Plzen.
- Plzen’s European record this season: Lost twice in three Champions League qualifiers, with their only win coming away at Servette.
- Head-to-head: The first leg at Ibrox was the teams’ first-ever competitive meeting.
- Domestic form: Rangers – 2 draws in last 2 league matches; Plzen – winless in last 2 Czech league games.
Prediction
Rangers have shown they can deliver in Europe even when domestic form is patchy, while Plzen’s lack of consistency and the heavy first-leg defeat make a comeback highly unlikely.
A draw on the night should be enough to comfortably seal progression for the Scottish side.
Prediction: Viktoria Plzen 1-1 Rangers (Rangers win 4-1 on aggregate)