Fenerbahçe S.K. vs. Rangers F.C. Prediction on March 6, 2025

Match info

Fenerbahçe S.K. and Rangers F.C. will resume their 2024–25 UEFA Europa League activity on Thursday, March 6, at 8:45 p.m. (local time) at the Ülker Stadium Şükrü Saracoğlu in Istanbul with the match within the second round of the play-offs. However, Rangers from the League stage will have a completely different dugout now that Philippe Clement has been fired. As he looks to win another European trophy, José Mourinho will want to take advantage of that, and according to the odds of each and every online sportsbook rated as the best football betting site, the side of the Portuguese expert is favored. This match will serve as the first leg of the second-tier European men’s football club competition’s Round of 16.

Meeting statistics

The current form of Fenerbahçe S.K.

Two titans of their respective nations are to face off against one another in the UEFA Europa League (UEL) last 16. Fenerbahçe, who have won the Turkish Trendyol Süper Lig 19 times, are in strong contention to win a 20th championship this season after defeating Antalyaspor 3-0 over the weekend to increase their amazing unbeaten streak to 18 games across all competitions (13 wins, five draws), though they are still four points behind the leaders, Galatasaray. “Sarı Kanaryalar” (The Yellow Canaries) need to put their league obligations on hold and concentrate on their first-leg matchup with Rangers. The Turkish team should feel confident because they’ve never lost to a Scottish team (one win, three draws).

Based on their group stage performance, Fenerbahçe are now the UEL’s bottom-ranked team in the eliminations. The Turks barely qualified for the Knockout phase play-offs on goal differential after finishing in 24th place. Out of their eight group matches, they drew four, lost two, and won two. It wasn’t entertaining to see them. However, a team that has won eight of their past nine home games, including a resounding 3-0 triumph against Anderlecht in the knockouts, appears to have a good chance of extending that. Diego Carlos and Çağlar Söyüncü are sidelined for Fenerbahçe because of injuries. After getting their fifth warning the previous time out (the second criterion for suspension), Fred and Bright Osayi-Samuel have both been suspended for accruing yellow cards.

The current form of Rangers F.C.

Rangers’ domestic and European fortunes have been inconsistent this season. The Glasgow team is presently 16 points behind Celtic, who lead the William Hill Premiership. Rangers finished eighth in the League stage of the Europa League, ahead of ninth-place Bodø/Glimt on goal differential, and did just enough to guarantee direct passage to the Round of 16. Thus, they were able to observe while their rivals fought through the Knockout stage.

Barry Ferguson, the interim Rangers manager, was incensed after his team’s 1-2 loss to Motherwell at home on Saturday. With this doubleheader against Fenerbahçe quickly followed by an away match against bitter rivals Celtic, it’s safe to say that a five-time Scottish champion as a Rangers player has been given a baptism of fire. He cautioned that a repeat performance on Thursday may put the tie beyond them.

Given that “The Gers” have advanced from just two of their last 11 Round of 16 matches in major European competition, history is not on Glasgow’s side today. However, the fact that they advanced to the final the last time they did so and that they’ve only lost once in their past seven away UEL games (three wins and draws apiece) indicates that they should at least be able to bring the match back to Ibrox next week with a realistic chance of moving on.

Due to injuries, Neraysho Kasanwirjo hasn’t played for Rangers since November. John Souttar may return from injury, and Óscar Cortés is back in training. Connor Barron, Dujon Sterling, and Leon Balogun will be watched closely and may make an appearance.

Head-to-head

Only two previous meetings between these two teams occurred, and that was during the 2001–02 UEFA Champions League qualifying stages. Fenerbahçe advanced to the first Group stage by winning the second game 2-1 following a draw in the first leg at Ibrox.

Match analytics

Fenerbahçe, as said, are the favorites in the match. However, six of their 10 Europa League games this season have seen them let up the first goal. So, they’ll probably win, but they’ll likely trail behind Rangers.

Tip: First goal – Rangers FC, with odds of 2.62 on Sons of Slots.