Rangers take on Ajax in the final game of their Champions League campaign, with a big result needed if the Gers are to claim a spot in the Europa League.
A 3-0 defeat to Napoli in Rangers' last Champions League outing made it five losses from five in this season's campaign at Europ's top table for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side. With just one goal scored and a -18 goal difference, a loss against Ajax tonight would seal their fate at the bottom of the group.
After a 4-0 loss to the Dutch giants in the reverse fixture, Rangers will need to win by five goals to overtake the Dutch side and claim the Europa League spot in Group A. Ajax could make a lot of changes for the clash at the Ibrox, but Rangers currently have a big injury problem as well as a key player being suspended.
READ MORE: Rangers injury update ahead of Ajax as Ridvan Yilmaz ruled out until after World Cup
After picking up his third yellow card of the group stage, John Lundstram is missing for Rangers tonight. Conor Goldson, Ianis Hagi, Kemar Roofe, John Souttar, Filip Helander, Tom Lawrence, Ryan Jack, Ridvan Yilmaz and Ben Davies are all set to be absent, with the latter two picking up knocks in the 4-1 win over Aberdeen on the weekend.
So, can Rangers end their UCL campaign with a win? We used FIFA 23 to try and predict the score.
Rangers vs Ajax score predicted by simulation
To complete this simulation, we used FIFA 23 and updated the Rangers squad with the latest injuries and suspensions.
We predict that Rangers could set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with their line-up as follows: McGregor; Tavernier, King, Sands, Barisic; Davis, Arfield; Sakala, Tillman, Kent; Colak.
We predict that the visitors could set up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: Pasveer; Rensch, Timber, Bassey, Blind; Berghuis, Alvarez, Taylor; Bergwijn, Kudus, Tadic.
Ajax started the game on top at the Ibrox, with most of the early chances falling their way. Dusan Tadic and Kenneth Taylor both came close in the first half, but the visitors took the lead before the break, through Edson Alvarez.
A cross into the Rangers box was headed clear by Leon King, but only as far as Alvarez outside the area. After bringing the ball down and under no pressure, the midfielder took aim from distance, firing into the bottom corner to send Ajax ahead.
As the game went on, Rangers found themselves growing into the game, with the visitors making lots of changes with the game in their hands. The Gers introduced Alfredo Morelos with 25 minutes to go, and the striker drew the game level with just a couple of minutes remaining.
On the shoulder of the last man, Morelos was found by Malik Tillman as the midfielder threaded a pass through to the striker in the box. Morelos let the ball run into his path and drilled a powerful strike past the 'keeper at his near post, potentially securing Rangers' first point of the group stages.
With just minutes remaining, Rangers opted to throw everything forward and go for the win rather than settle for a draw. Fashion Sakala came close just moments after the restart, and the Light Blues eventually took the lead as Morelos made it 2-1 in the 90th minute.
A change in acceleration saw Ryan Kent burst past his marker on the left before hanging a cross towards Morelos at the back post. The Colombian used his strength to push away from his marker and acrobatically strike the ball past the 'keeper to complete the comeback.
FIFA 23 predicted final score: Rangers 2-1 Ajax
Here are the full-time match stats.
FIFA 23 predicts that a late double from Morelos could see Rangers beat Ajax 2-1 tonight, ending their Champions League campaign on a high. It wouldn't be enough to qualify for the Europa League, but ending their European season with a victory would at least send the Rangers fans home happy on Tuesday.
What do you think the score will be between Rangers and Ajax tonight? Let us know in the comments!
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