Lyon vs Rangers

Lyon and Rangers go head-to-head in a top-table UEFA Europa League Group A encounter at the Groupama Stadium.

Lyon have found Europa League Group A a stroll, picking up all five victories so far while scoring an intimidating average of 3.0 goals per match. Since beating Rangers 2-0 in the reverse fixture back on the opening matchday, ‘Les Gones’ have netted 3+ goals in each of their subsequent four Europa League outings, with 12 of their 13 goals scored across those games coming in the second half of play. Though they’ll progress into the Europa League knock-outs as Group A winners regardless of the outcome, a win here would see them become the first-ever French to finish the competition’s group stages with a 100% record. That added incentive could do the trick for Peter Bosz’s men, who are looking to return to winning ways after going winless in their last two competitive matches (D1, L1).

Meanwhile, Rangers have bounced back from a dreadful Europa League start that had seen them lose their opening two Group A fixtures without scoring. The ‘Gers’ have gone unbeaten in their last three matches in the competition (W2, D1), with both victories yielding the identical 2-0 scoreline. Having secured a runner-up finish with a game to spare, new manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst will be looking to maintain his 100% start to life at Ibrox (W4). Since replacing Steven Gerrard in the dugout in late November, the Dutch strategist has led Rangers to three clear-cut victories, barring a 1-0 away win at domestic rivals Hibernian. That should encourage the visitors’ bid to improve their indifferent away record in the Europa League (W2, D4, L4). Curiously, though, they are the only Scottish side to have beaten Lyon in France.