Gerrard To Make A Change | Predicted 4-3-3 Rangers Lineup To Face Brondby | OneFootball

Rangers, the reigning Premiership champions and current league leaders, are struggling rock bottom in their Europa League group ahead of hosting Brondby on Thursday night. It’s a must-win fixture for the Gers to keep their knockout hopes alive and Steven Gerrard, the Ibrox chief, must guide his men to make it to the Round of 16’s.

This would be the first-ever meeting between these two teams even though Rangers have contested other Danish sides before. Brondby, on the other hand, defeated Scottish outfits Aberdeen (1996) and Hibernian (2016) on the last two visits and the Light Blues should prepare themselves for another stern test this midweek.

Predicted 4-3-3 Rangers Lineup To Face Brondby

Defence

Gerrard seems to have handed Allan McGregor the ‘number 1’ role ahead of Jon McLaughlin after an initial rotation and is expected to rely on the 39-year-old custodian once again despite the weekend howler against Hearts.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – SEPTEMBER 16: Steven Gerrard, Head Coach of Rangers looks on during the UEFA Europa League group A match between Rangers FC and Olympique Lyon at Ibrox Stadium on September 16, 2021 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

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Despite the emergence of Nathan Patterson, the attacking expertise of skipper James Tavernier would be crucial from the right-back role. An injury has ruled Filip Helander out for months and the exclusion of Jack Simpson from their European squad leave the Gers with Connor Goldson and Leon Balogun as the only outright central defensive options. The duo must exhibit resilience in deep defence with a view to grabbing a clean sheet. Borna Barisic should retain his place down the left-hand side for his experience and set-piece attribute. Versatile Calvin Bassey would remain among substitutes to cover for both the centre-half and left-back slots.

Midfield

The gaffer has tweaked the set-up recently as he is preferring a double pivot over a three-man midfield. However, Glen Kamara is suspended following his dismissal against Sparta Prague, whereas Ryan Jack is still sidelined with a long injury layoff.

Having said that, Rangers are blessed with ample midfield options and the manager should opt for Steven Davis in the deep-lying role who lost his place of late to John Lundstram. While Davis would orchestrate from the base, Lundstram and Joe Aribo must operate box-to-box in case the 4-3-3 is restored in the middle of the park. Juninho Bacuna and Scott Arfield might make their presence count as ‘super subs’.

Attack

Alfredo Morelos’ wastefulness cost the Light Blues against Hearts and the Colombian has to improve his finishing trait to avoid a similar setback. With Ryan Kent ruled out due to a hamstring strain, Scott Wright is likely to feature from the left. Ianis Hagi must keep hold of his right-wing role and the likes of Fashion Sakala and Kemar Roofe might get deployed late in the game if the situation demands.