Despite a managerial alteration and the appointment of Barry Ferguson as the interim chief, Rangers suffered their third successive home defeat when they hosted Motherwell on Saturday evening. Although the Light Blues grabbed a direct spot in the Europa League Round of 16, Turkish giants Fenerbahce, managed by the charismatic Jose Mourinho, are all set to welcome them this midweek.
The Yellow Canaries knocked Anderlecht out of the Round of 32 (5-3 on aggregate) banking on a 3-0 first leg victory in Istanbul. Rangers, of late, had a better run on the road, yet they would be the outright underdogs considering Fener’s ongoing 18-game unbeaten streak before the Thursday night encounter. Even a stalemate at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium would be massive for the Glasgow giants.
Predicted 4-4-2 Rangers Lineup To Face Fenerbahce
Defence
Jack Butland was dreadful against the Steelmen as his mistake between the sticks cost Rangers in a disastrous 2-1 defeat. He is expected to undergo a sterner test against the in-form Edin Dzeko and Youssef En-Nesyri.
Ferguson has already tried various combinations in the defensive third. However, the frailty continues in the heart of the backline, and the gaffer, therefore, should go back to the basics not to complicate things further. James Tavernier must be restored in his usual right-back role, but he needs to focus more on his defensive game irrespective of the attacking contribution. Jefte is expected to keep his place on the left ahead of Ridvan Yilmaz, but the manager must make the call on the central defensive pairing amid the availability of Robin Propper, Dujon Sterling, Clinton Nsiala and Leon Balogun. Balogun and Propper might get the nod, with versatile Sterling could be introduced as a substitute to bring flexibility at the back. John Souttar, sidelined with a calf strain, is unlikely to make it to the matchday squad.
Midfield
Nicolas Raskin and Mohamed Diomande have played a lot of games in the recent weeks and are likely to feature again in the centre of the pitch. Vaclav Cerny has been the most consistent performer with his flair and finesse down the right-hand flank, and the wideman, on loan from Wolfsburg, must exhibit his mastery once again in and around the attacking third. Ianis Hagi has been included in their Europa League squad, but the Romanian could make way for Nedim Bajrami after a few underwhelming outings from the left. Fit-again Connor Barron, Danilo, Tom Lawrence and Ross McCausland are also in contention for minutes as ‘super subs’.
Attack
Hamza Igamane and Cyriel Dessers must be lined up together to offer sharpness, precision and poaching skills high up the pitch.
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