Sturm Graz vs Rangers – Match preview and team news | OneFootball

Rangers travel to the Merkur Arena as they face Sturm Graz in the UEFA Europa League encounter on Thursday.

Both sides will be searching for their first Europa League points of the season, in what promises to be a crucial encounter.

Sturm Graz vs Rangers – Match preview and team news

Sturm Graz team news

Sturm Graz could hand starts to several returning players after a solid start to their Austrian Bundesliga title defence. The reigning Austrian champions have won five of their first seven league games and sit second in the table, just two points behind Rapid Vienna.

Jürgen Säumel’s side is without the injured quartet of Arjan Malić, Axel Kayombo, Daniil Khudyakov and Filip Rozga. The 41-year-old manager, who previously played for Sturm Graz and appeared at Euro 2008, has been employing a 4-3-1-2 formation this season, emphasising central control rather than wide play.

Oliver Christensen will be eager to bounce back after his errors contributed to a 2-0 defeat to Midtjylland, while striker Seedy Jatta leads the team’s scoring charts with five goals this season.

Rangers team news

Russell Martin finally secured his first Scottish Premiership win as Rangers manager following Max Aarons’ stoppage-time winner against Livingston at the weekend. However, the former Southampton boss remains under intense pressure with fans calling for his removal despite the victory.

Mohamed Diomande is suspended following his red card against Genk in Rangers’ Europa League opener. Connor Barron is likely to replace the Ivorian midfielder, though Joe Rothwell remains an option. Derek Cornelius and Jayden Meghoma both suffered injury scares against Livingston, potentially forcing changes to an already fragile defence.

Youssef Chermiti could start ahead of Bojan Miovski after the Portuguese striker was given the nod in the Genk defeat. The Gers have endured a torrid start to the season, winning just one of their first six Premiership matches and suffering humiliating defeats to Club Brugge in Champions League qualifying.

Form

Sturm Graz

The Austrian champions have made an impressive start to their title defence, most recently defeating TSV Hartberg 1-0 to maintain their challenge at the top of the Bundesliga. Säumel’s men defeated RB Salzburg 2-0 away from home earlier this season, showing their quality against top opposition.

Their European campaign began disappointingly with a 2-0 loss to Midtjylland, despite matching their opponents in expected goals. The defeat highlighted individual errors that cost them dearly in Denmark.

Rangers

Martin’s side endured their worst start to a league season since 1978, failing to win any of their opening five Premiership fixtures. The dramatic victory over Livingston provided much-needed relief, with the manager describing it as potentially “a real big moment”.

Rangers’ European pedigree remains intact despite domestic struggles, having reached the 2022 Europa League final and quarter-finals last season. However, their 1-0 home defeat to Genk, playing with ten men for most of the match, was a continuation of their poor run of form.

Predicted lineups

Sturm Graz: Christensen, Hierlander, Aiwu, Lavalee, Karic, Stankovic, Beck, Horvat, Jatta, Hodl, Malone.

Rangers: Butland, Tavernier, Djiga, Souttar, Aarons, Raskin, Barron, Aasgaard, Antman, Chermiti, Gassama.

How to watch Sturm Graz vs Rangers?

The match will be broadcast live in UK on TNT Sports 2.

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