After months of action and drama, the 2021/22 UEFA Europa League Final will be held this coming Wednesday, on the 18th of May. German Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt will contest the final with Rangers FC from the Scottish Premiership at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan in the city of Seville, Spain.
After toppling FC Barcelona in the quarterfinals, Eintracht Frankfurt defeated English Premier League side West Ham United in the semi-finals to reach its first European final for over 40 years. Rangers, runners-up of the Europa League in the 2007/08 campaign, went past the much-fancied German side RB Leipzig by turning around a 1st leg deficit in front of a raucous home-crowd at the Ibrox to book its place in the showpiece event.
Eintracht Frankfurt v Rangers FC Betting Odds
Aside from the higher UEFA Coefficient Ranking of the Bundesliga in comparison to the SPL, Eintracht arguably has an apparently stronger squad than Rangers.
Eintracht: 2.33 on Sportsbet.io
Draw: 3.44 on Sportsbet.io
Rangers: 3.13 on Sportsbet.io
Eintracht Frankfurt Team News & Playing XI
With no league-wins in two months, Eintracht Frankfurt will finish outside the top-half of the Bundesliga, yet it remained unbeaten in the Europa League en route to the final.
More often than not, Eintracht manager Oliver Glasner sets his team in a 3-4-2-1 system. Martin Hinteregger, the chief centre-back of the side, is ruled out of the match due to a hamstring-injury, therefore Japanese veteran Makoto Hasebe will take up the sweeper-role in the middle of the defensive-line alongside Obite Ndicka and Tuta. Meanwhile, the goalkeeper Kevin Trapp has been among the top-performers of the side this season.
Djibril Sow and Sebastian Rode seem to be the preferred central-midfield pairing in this competition as they started in both legs of the semi-final. Ansgar Knauff is the wing-back on the right while Filip Kostic is a crucial component of the attack on the left-flank. Jesper Lindstrøm is another key absentee in the squad so Jens Petter Hauge and Daichi Kamada might be the supporting-strikers behind the centre-forward Rafael Borré.
Probable XI: Kevin Trapp (gk), Obite Evan Ndicka, Makoto Hasebe, Tuta, Djibril Sow, Sebastian Rode, Ansgar Knauff, Filip Kostic, Jens Petter Hauge, Daichi Kamada, Rafel Borré.
Rangers FC Team News & Playing XI
Aside from reaching this final, reigning Scottish Premiership champions Rangers also have a 2-point advantage at the top of the Championship group in its domestic league.
Since arriving at the club last year, Giovanni van Bronckhorst has proven to be an astute strategist, adding flexibility to the side to tactically adapt itself for different opponents. He is likely to line his players in a 3-5-2 formation for this match with 40-year old Allan McGregor as the first-choice goalkeeper. Connor Goldson will probably start at the heart of the central-defensive line with John Lundstram and Calvin Bassey.
Glen Kamara and Ryan Jack are the two holding-midfielders providing extra protection to the backline.
Skipper James Tavernier will occupy his usual role as the wing-back on the right with Borna Barisic on the left. Kemar Roofe is not likely to return for the final and Alfredo Morelos is injured as well so Joe Ayodele-Aribo, Ryan Kent and Scott Wright will encompass a flat forward-line without a designated centre-forward.
Probable XI: Allan McGregor (gk), Connor Goldson, John Lundstram, Calvin Bassey, James Tavernier, Borna Barisic, Glen Kamara, Ryan Jack, Scott Wright, Ryan Kent, Joe Ayodele-Aribo.
India Bet Top Betting Picks
Match Result - Eintracht Frankfurt
Eintracht Frankfurt is yet to lose a match in the Europa League this season and has also picked up 5 wins from its 6 away-matches in the tournament. Rangers have only earned 1 away-win in this competition so far while it also tasted 3 defeat in each of the previous 3 European fixtures on the road.
Bet on Eintracht Frankfurt at 2.32 on Sportsbet.io
Both Teams to Score - No
Eintracht Frankfurt has opened its account in every match of the Europa League this season and is actually producing more goals away from home. Meanwhile Rangers have only managed 8 goals on the road in the Europa League and failed to score in 4 of its 8 away-fixtures in the competition.
Bet on No at 2.12 on Sportsbet.io
Eintracht Franfurt Total - Under 1.5
Despite reaching the final, EintrachtFrankfurt is not really a prolific team having scored just 20 times in 12 Europa League matches for an average of under 2 goals per game. Rangers do not score many either but it has only allowed 17 goals to be scored against it during its 16 matches in the Europa League.
Bet on Under 1.5 at 1.98 on Sportsbet.io
India Bet Bookmaker Picks
- Winning Margin - Eintracht Frankfurt 1 Goal at 3.85 on PariMatch
- Goal Score in 2nd Half - No at 4.17 on PariMatch
- Match Result & Total Goals - Eintracht Frankfurt & Under 2.5 at 5.10 on PariMatch
India Bet Prediction
Eintracht has the stronger squad on paper and performs better away from home while Rangers are missing some key players and has struggled for consistency on its travels.
Correct Score: Eintracht Frankfurt 1-0 Rangers FC at 8.30 on PariMatch
Date: 18th May 2022, Venue: Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Seville
PS: Don't forget to redeem this 500 IBR Code which is valid until 19th May.
4 Comments