Preview: Rangers vs. Standard Liege - prediction, team news, lineups

Rangers host Belgian side Standard Liege in the Europa League on Thursday night hoping to continue their unbeaten run in all competitions and book their place into the knockout stages.

Meanwhile, Liege travel to Ibrox knowing that anything but a win would knock them out of the competition.

Match preview

Steven Gerrard was pleased with the mentality and professionalism shown by his Rangers side in the 4-0 victory over Falkirk in the Scottish League Cup on Sunday.

The Gers boss also expressed his excitement for the future of the club as he gave 18-year-old Ciaran Dickson and 16-year-old Leon King their senior debuts.

Gerrard is likely to rotate once again as his side turn their attention back to the Europa League with hopes of confirming their qualification for the knockout stages.

Rangers face Standard Liege having won five of their seven previous meetings with Belgian opponents in all competitions, winning all three at home by an aggregate score of 9-3.

A win for the Gers will guarantee their progression from the group stages in back-to-back seasons for the first time since the 2005-06 Champions League and 2006-07 UEFA Cup.

Standard Liege have given themselves hope of qualifying from Group D after beating Lech Poznan 2-0 last week.

Les Rouches had lost their first three Europa League matches but victory last Thursday moved them within five points of both Benfica and their next opponents Rangers.

Liege's only previous visit to Ibrox was back in the 1961-62 European Cup quarter-final, with the Belgian side losing 2-0 but progressing 4-3 on aggregate.

Standard Liege have a poor record away from home in the Europa League, winning just one of their last 19 away games â€“ losing 13 and drawing the remaining five.

Philippe Montanier's side, who have drawn their last three league matches, must win in Scotland if they are to progress to the next round.

Rangers Europa League form: WWDD Rangers form (all competitions): WDWWDW

Standard Liege Europa League form: LLLW Standard Liege form (all competitions): WLDDWD

Team News

Rangers defender Filip Helander is unavailable as he has tested positive for coronavirus.

Midfielders Joe Aribo and Ryan Jack, who have missed the previous two matches, remain doubtful after suffering knocks.

Steven Gerrard is likely to make changes from the side that beat Falkirk on Sunday, with attackers Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent set to replace Jermain Defoe and Cedric Itten.

Liege striker Obbi Oulare is suspended as he was shown a red card against Lech Poznan. As a result, Maxime Lestienne and Michel Ange Balikwisha are likely to start together up front.

Gojko Cimirot is set to play alongside Nicolas Raskin and Samuel Bastien in midfield.

Rangers possible starting lineup: McGregor; Tavernier, Goldson, Balogun, Barasic; Kamara, Davies, Arfield; Hagi, Morelos, Kent

Standard Liege possible starting lineup: Bodart; Fai, Dussenne, Bokadi, Laifis, Gavory; Raskin, Cimirot, Bastian; Lestienne, Balikwisha

We say: Rangers 3-0 Standard Liege

Liege, who have not won an away match in the Europa League since 2016, still have a slim chance of progressing to the knockout stages, however they come up against a strong Rangers outfit who should win comfortably on Thursday night.

Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a home win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.