Nice v Rangers: Prediction, Tips and Odds

The pressure is on Rangers coach Philippe Clement to start putting results together but Thursday's trip to Nice in the UEFA Europa League looks unlikely to provide any respite.

Saturday's 1-1 home draw against Dundee United means the Gers are now 11 points behind Celtic following the Bhoys' 4-1 win at Hearts the same day and midfielder Connor Barron has publicly backed the boss, insisting "we are all behind the manager".

Clement could even have an obvious get-out option, with the Belgian FA reportedly keen to appoint him as De Rode Duivels coach should they sack Domenico Tedesco.

However, he insists he remains committed to the ongoings at Ibrox and his focus will be on the Grand Stade de Nice on Thursday, where his team meet Franck Haise's side, who are fifth in Ligue 1 yet struggling in the league phase.

Haise's hosts are still to win in this competition but have a fine home record and, although Clement has a habit of getting a result just when it matters, it might be anything but a Nice evening in the south of France.

Nice v Rangers betting tips and predictions

Nice to win and both teams to score - 13/5

Nice are still to win in this season's UEFA Europa League, losing 4-1 at Lazio and 1-0 away against Ferencvaros, in between a 1-1 home draw with Real Sociedad and a 2-2 with Twente.

That has left them 31st in the table, 21 places behind Rangers, who have beaten both Malmo (2-0) and FCSB (4-0), lost 4-1 to Lyon and drawn 1-1 at Olympiakos.

Clement's side have a relatively poor record on the road this season, losing at Celtic, Kilmarnock and Aberdeen in the league and could succumb at the Grand Stade de Nice.  

By contrast, Les Aiglons are unbeaten in eight home games this season, most notably beating Saint-Etienne 8-0 and seeing off Strasbourg 2-1 at the weekend.

However, that win over Les Verts is the only instance in their octet of outings on their own patch in that they have kept a clean sheet.

For all their ills, Rangers have scored in 13 of their last 14 games so a consolation in a losing cause could be the case on the Riviera.

Jeremie Boga anytime goalscorer - 10/3

Nice winger Jeremie Boga has scored UEFA Europa League goals against both Lazio and Twente and will fancy himself against Dujon Sterling.

Sterling's versatility has previously worked against him but he seems to have surpassed James Tavernier as the Gers' preferred right-back and may have some inside information on Boga, with both having come through the Chelsea academy.

The 25-year-old is most at home on the right edge of the defence but could still find himself in trouble against his former Blues colleague, who can both go down the line and drift inside to create space for others.

That possibility of him desperately having to lunge into tackles to stem Nice attacks adds to the possibility of Sterling receiving a card, available at 2/1.

It could also provide more space for Boga to thrive and grab a third goal in this tournament.

Connor Barron to be booked - 12/5

Barron's form since signing from Aberdeen in the summer has been one of the few bright spots of Rangers' season and he is expected to retain his place in central midfield.

The 22-year-old is a relatively diminutive but combative presence who has been carded twice in this competition and is a repeat card candidate in what could be an open game.

Barron could find himself in a midfield duel with the likes of Hicham Boudaoui and Pablo Rosario, and he appears to save his misdemeanours for Europe, with him yet to receive his first booking for the campaign domestically.

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Nice v Rangers odds

Nice - 4/5
Draw - 11/4
Rangers - 10/3

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.