MX23RW : Friday, May 17 00:03:23| >> :60:1749:1749:

Who could Rangers face in the Europa League playoffs?

Who could Rangers face in the Europa League playoffs?
© Reuters
Sports Mole looks at who Rangers could face in the Europa League playoff round, with some of Europe's biggest names being potential opponents.

Rangers have ensured a second successive season in the knockout rounds of the Europa League, booking their place in the new playoff round courtesy of finishing second in Group A.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst's men finished one point clear of Sparta Prague and six ahead of Brondby to secure second place behind Lyon, with the French side securing their passage straight through to the last 16.

Rangers themselves still have work to do to join them there, though, as they go into the playoff round against the eight teams to have dropped into the competition from the Champions League.

As such, some of Europe's biggest names could lie in wait for the Glasgow outfit when the competition resumes in the New Year, including the prospect of a showdown with Spanish giants Barcelona - a team they have faced twice before, drawing once and losing once.

Rangers have a much better record against another of the big boys to have entered the competition, having won three and lost just one of their eight previous meetings with Borussia Dortmund.

The Scottish champions have also won three and lost one against Porto - this time from six previous contests - but have a losing record against the other two possible opponents they have faced before.

Rangers have lost three of their four previous fixtures against Sevilla, while they also lost their only previous game against Zenit St Petersburg.

All eight of the teams to have dropped down from the Champions League are possible opponents due to none of them being Scottish, which means that RB Leipzig and Atalanta BC could also be on the table.

The kindest draw on paper looks like Moldovan outfit Sheriff Tiraspol, although they did claim the memorable scalp of Real Madrid in the Champions League and so could be a team to be wary of too.

The draw will take place in Nyon on Monday at 12pm GMT - you can find out everything you need to know about the new Europa League playoff round and the draw by clicking here.

ID:472517:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect3325:
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
General view of the Europa League trophy during the draw in 2020
Read Next:
Europa League playoffs: What are they? When is the draw? Who is involved?
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid36296183226193
2Barcelona36247574433179
3GironaGirona36236775453075
4Atletico MadridAtletico36234967392873
5Athletic Bilbao361711858372162
6Real Sociedad361512949371257
7Real BetisBetis36141484843556
8Villarreal36149136060051
9Valencia36139143740-348
10Getafe361013134151-1043
11AlavesAlaves36119163445-1142
12Sevilla361011154750-341
13Osasuna36118174054-1441
14Las PalmasLas Palmas36108183246-1438
15Rayo Vallecano36814142944-1538
16Celta Vigo36910174254-1237
17Mallorca36715142941-1236
18CadizCadiz36614162549-2432
RGranada3649233770-3321
RAlmeria36211233572-3717


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!