Rangers vs Club Brugge KV Prediction, News, Odds: 19/8/2025

The final hurdle before the Champions League group stage sees Rangers take on Club Brugge, two clubs with rich European pedigrees and ambitions to cement their place among Europe’s elite this season. Both teams arrive with mixed form but plenty of firepower, setting the stage for a tightly contested tie.

Rangers’ Bumpy Path to the Playoff

Rangers have shown resilience throughout qualifying, but consistency remains a concern. In the second round, they dispatched Panathinaikos with a 2–0 victory at Ibrox and a 1–1 draw away from home. The third round brought another impressive home display, as they crushed Viktoria Plzeň 3–0, though a 2–1 defeat in the Czech Republic highlighted some vulnerabilities.

Domestically, the Scottish giants have stumbled. Their Premiership campaign began with back-to-back 1–1 draws against Motherwell and Dundee, leaving them still searching for their first league win. A League Cup clash with Alloa at the weekend provided a chance to rotate, but overall form remains patchy—just one win in their last six across all competitions.

Squad depth, however, gives manager Philippe Clement reason for optimism. Star striker Cyriel Dessers, last season’s Scottish top scorer with 18 goals, remains a central figure, supported by creative threats like Danilo Pereira, Nicolas Raskin, and captain James Tavernier. New signings such as Max Aarons (on loan from Bournemouth), Oscar Cortes (Lens), and Oliver Antman (Go Ahead Eagles) bolster the squad, though key absences—particularly Hamza Igamane and Rabbi Matondo—limit attacking options.

Club Brugge Target Another Group Stage

Club Brugge are no strangers to Europe’s biggest stage, having reached the Champions League Round of 16 last season before bowing out to Aston Villa. Their journey back has been steady, with a narrow 1–0 away win and a thrilling 3–2 home victory over RB Salzburg securing their playoff berth.

In the Belgian Pro League, Brugge’s form has been mixed but promising. They opened with a 2–1 win over Genk, stumbled against Mechelen (2–1 defeat), before rebounding with a 2–0 derby win against Cercle Brugge. Their most recent league outing against promoted side Zulte-Waregem further tested their early-season rhythm.

Summer departures included Ferran Jutglà (Celta Vigo), Maxim De Cuyper (Brighton), and midfield dynamo Ardon Jashari (AC Milan), but the club reinvested smartly. Young talents like Carlos Forbs (Ajax), Nicolo Tresoldi (Hannover), and Aleksandar Stankovic (Inter) have arrived, alongside Ludovit Reis from Hamburg. Forbs, in particular, has already made his mark by scoring in the Salzburg tie.

Veteran playmaker Hans Vanaken continues to pull the strings, while 20-year-old prospect Noah Seys is beginning to emerge as a serious attacking option. Injuries to Gustaf Nilsson and Jackson Ordoñez leave the squad slightly stretched, but Laurent Blanc’s side remains dangerous across all lines.

Prediction

Both teams carry attacking threats, and goals look almost certain given their records—Rangers have seen over 2.5 goals scored in each of their last 19 matches, while 19 of Club Brugge’s last 21 away games in Europe’s top competition have followed the same trend.

Rangers’ home advantage could prove vital, but Brugge’s balance, experience, and recent European pedigree may tilt the tie in their favor. Expect a high-energy contest with chances at both ends, but the Belgian side may just have the extra composure to steal the first leg.

Prediction: Rangers 1:2 Club Brugge