Jablonec v Rangers: Conference League play-off predictions, best bets and odds

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Rangers find themselves in the Liberec Region of the Czech Republic on Thursday evening.

Derek McInnes and his new-look squad face local club Jablonec in an all-or-nothing UEFA Conference League play-off second leg. The teams met in Glasgow seven days ago, but there's still all to play for here.

Rangers are the pre-match betting favourites to win and progress to the competition proper. Will the Glaswegians live up to expectations?

Experienced sportsbook writer Frank Monkhouse explains the thinking behind his three predictions in this Jablonec v Rangers Conference League play-off preview.

Jablonec v Rangers betting tips

Rangers win @ 7/5 (bet365)

Rangers over 1 goal @ 5/4 (bet365)

Rangers score in both halves @ 11/4 (bet365)

Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.

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Winner - Rangers

My first pick in the Czech Republic is Rangers to beat Jablonec and progress to the UEFA Conference League proper.

The Gers take a slender 1-0 lead into this match, thanks to a second-half goal from Ryan Naderi. The towering German forward provided the finish to a lovely move, with Japanese winger Daisuke Yokota's clever play leaving him with a tap-in.

One goal was enough to give Rangers victory at Ibrox, but it should've been more. The Gers had 56% possession and created 13 shots at goal. They forced the Jablonec goalkeeper, Jan Hanus, into four important saves, as the Premiership club pushed for a second goal that would've killed the tie.

Another goal looked likely last Thursday, before Rangers had midfielder Cammy Devlin sent off for a ridiculous challenge on 74 minutes. Down to 10 men with a one-goal advantage so late in the game, boss Derek McInnes seemed happy to see the game out and protect the lead. Now we're back to 11 v 11; I'm confident Rangers will win.

The visitors enjoyed a weekend off to prepare for this match, giving them seven days to plan. With extra time on the training pitch so early in the season, Rangers will be faster, fitter, more focused, and ready to rescue European football this term.

If you choose to follow this prediction as a single or add it to your bet builders, the winning margin or scorers aren't important. If Rangers outscore Jablonec in the Czech Republic, you'll beat the bookies and land a profit.

Tip: Rangers win @ 7/5 (bet365)

Bet explanation: You need Rangers to beat Jablonec on Thursday. Since we're betting on the match winner, the aggregate score doesn't count.

Team goals - Rangers over 1

Moving on to my second suggested bet, and I'm sticking with the away team, supporting Rangers to score more than one goal.

The stats don't do much to inspire confidence in this pick, but it's very early in the season, and Rangers are improving under McInnes.

The Glaswegians have played five times this month and scored nine goals. The standout performance was a 5-1 win over St Mirren at Ibrox in the League Cup. 

Rangers scored one goal against Jagiellonia Bialystok, Hibs, and Thursday's opponents. That tells us improvement is needed, but the signs are promising.

Jablonec came to Ibrox and offered little attacking threat. Goalkeeper Ivor Pandur didn't have a lot to do on the night, but the locals are now under pressure to attack. 

Will the Czechs accept their fate and play for damage limitation or push for an upset win, knowing their opponents were beaten in a Europa League qualifier? They've got to go for it, and that'll play into Rangers' hands.

Rangers will make themselves difficult to break down. They have enough experience and control in the midfield to turn defence into attack. Yokota, Djeidi Gassama and Findlay Curtis will get them up the park, providing ammunition for the strikers.

The Gers attack hasn't been anything to brag about so far, but Naderi has scored in each of his last two games, and he has a real chance to make it three from three. I expect Rangers to sit back, invite a bit of pressure, and then hit Jablonec on the counter-attack. That style of play suits McInnes. 

I'm confident that Jablonec's desperation for a goal will leave them fragile at the back, and Rangers have the firepower to shoot themselves into the league phase by scoring more than one goal.

Tip: Rangers over 1 goal @ 5/4 (bet365)

Bet explanation: Followers don't need Rangers to win this match, just score more than one goal on Thursday in the Czech Republic. 

Score in both halves - Rangers

A Rangers goal in the opening 45 minutes would knock the wind out of Jablonec and encourage the visiting fans.

Focusing on that stunning win over League Cup defending champions St Mirren in Govan earlier this month, Rangers scored two goals in the opening 45 minutes, and another three in the second period.

Gers scored inside four minutes in their previous European away match, and on 19 minutes when hosting Jagiellonia. They scored second-half goals against Hibs and Jablonec at Ibrox. The attack hasn't shown its best yet, but goals are coming from across the team, and Thursday looks like an ideal chance to boost their numbers.

When betting on Rangers to score in both halves, you're not concerned by what Jablonec does on the night. A 5-2 win for the home team pays the same as a 2-2 draw or a 3-0 away win. As long as Rangers get at least one goal in the first half, and another during the second period, your bet wins. It's that simple, and it gives you a fighting chance until the final whistle.

Tip: Rangers score in both halves @ 11/4 (bet365)

Bet explanation: Rangers must score a goal in both the first and second halves.

Jablonec v Rangers betting odds

Jablonec win @ 17/10 (bet365)

Draw @ 23/10 (bet365)

Rangers win @ 7/5 (bet365)