Rangers vs Genk – Match preview and team news | OneFootball

Rangers and Genk go head-to-head in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday at Ibrox Stadium.

Both sides will be looking to reverse poor domestic form on the European stage in the opening week of the league phase. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of kickoff.

Rangers vs Genk – Match preview and team news

Rangers team news

The hosts will be without suspended right-back Max Aarons, who received a red card in the Champions League play-off round against Club Brugge. Captain James Tavernier is expected to start at right-back in Aaron’s absence.

Dujon Sterling remains sidelined with an Achilles tendon injury and won’t return until the new year. He and Rabbi Matondo are longer-term absentees but are “coming along nicely” in their recovery.

The good news is that midfielder Joe Rothwell is back in the Rangers squad for the visit of Genk. The midfielder had been sidelined due to a slight injury and missed the League Cup victory over Hibernian, but has recovered and will be available for selection.

Summer signing Bojan Miovski is expected to lead the line after scoring his first goal for the club against Hibs. The striker will be supported by an attacking trio likely featuring Mikey Moore, Thelo Aasgaard and Djeidi Gassama. Nicolas Raskin is available as well.

Read – The five favourites to win the Europa League

Genk team news

Genk coach Thorsten Fink has welcomed back attacking midfielder Konstantinos Karetsas from a back injury. The 17-year-old Golden Boy nominee had missed the last two games but has trained with the rest of the group and is ready to face Rangers.

However, Genk will be without attacking duo Daan Heymans and Yira Sor. Heymans continues to miss out with an ankle injury that has sidelined him for eight games. Sor has returned to training but the Rangers fixture comes too early for his return. Neither player will be boarding the flight to Glasgow.

Form

Rangers: DLDLW

Rangers’ start to the Scottish Premiership season has been disappointing, having failed to win any of their opening five league matches under Russell Martin. The pressure has intensified on the manager following a humiliating 6-0 defeat to Club Brugge in the Champions League play-off round.

However, Martin’s side showed signs of improvement with a convincing 2-0 victory over Hibernian in the League Cup quarter-final, ending a five-match winless run. Their domestic form remains concerning, with defeats to Hearts (0-2) and a goalless draw against Celtic highlighting their struggles.

The fans’ frustration has been evident, with protests taking place before matches amid calls for Martin’s sacking. The manager reportedly faces four crunch games to secure his future at Ibrox.

Genk: LWDLL

Genk have also endured a troubling start to their Belgian Pro League campaign under Thorsten Fink. After eight league games, they sit 14th in the table with just two wins.

Their recent form includes a 1-0 defeat to Charleroi and a 2-1 loss to Union Saint-Gilloise. The Belgian side has struggled for consistency, managing only eight points from their opening eight matches.

Their European pedigree was also questioned after failing to progress beyond the Europa League qualifiers in recent seasons. Both Fink and Martin face uncertain futures, with pressure mounting on both managers.

Predicted lineups

Rangers XI: Butland; Tavernier, Souttar, Cornelius, Meghoma; Diomande, Raskin; Moore, Aasgaard, Gassama; Miovski.

Genk XI: Lawal; Ouahdi, Sadick, Smets, Ditu; Bangoura, Heynen; Ito, Steuckers, Adedeji-Sternberg; Oh.

How to watch Rangers vs Genk?

UK fans can watch the match live on TNT Sports 2.

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