Supercomputer predicts result of Rangers vs Genk in Europa League
Rangers kick off their Europa League campaign with a home match against Belgian side Genk on Thursday.
Rangers suffered a 9-1 aggregate loss to Club Brugge in the Champions League playoffs, and they’ll be hoping to avoid another damaging loss against Genk.
Russell Martin faces calls to be sacked at Rangers as fans are furious with the team’s start to the season.
Despite sitting 11th in the Scottish Premiership, Rangers managed to get a much-needed 2-0 win in the quarter-finals of the Premier Sports Cup against Hibernian.
However, Martin will be judged on his form in the league and in Europe, and a loss to Genk at Ibrox could spell the end of his Rangers tenure.
Genk predicted to beat Rangers at Ibrox
Whilst a loss would be devastating for his already-tumultuous relationship with Gers fans, Andrew Cavenagh has continued to publicly back Martin regardless of their results so far this season
According to Opta’s supercomputer, things could get worse for Martin as Genk have a higher chance of winning.
- Genk have been given a 39.7 per cent chance of claiming victory at Ibrox
- Rangers have been given a 34.4 per cent chance of recording back-to-back victories under Martin for the first time
- A draw has been given a 25.8 per cent probability of occurring
With the Light Blues desperate to build on their win vs Hibs, Martin must name a strong starting lineup if Rangers are to secure the win.
- Read more: Scottish FA send message to UEFA with Rangers vs Celtic action already after new announcement
Russell Martin must start Derek Cornelius over Nasser Djiga
Djiga was abysmal in Rangers’ last European match, and the defender was completely out of depth against Brugge.
Cornelius started his first match for the Bears against Hibs, with the defender keeping a clean sheet despite not playing that well himself.
Regardless, Cornelius is much more experienced and his inclusion allows John Souttar to play on his preferred right side.
The 27-year-old provides a calming presence at centre-back, whilst his free-kick vs Wales on international duty shows that he can provide a moment of game-changing magic.
Martin is in must-win territory, and he cannot afford to start the error-prone Djiga with his job on the line.
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