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UEFA Cup

Panathinaikos v Rangers: Decent chance for the Scots to progress

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Nik Wardle talks us through the betting as Rangers try to progress in the UEFA Cup

Although Rangers are disappointed not to take a lead into Thursday nights Round of 32 UEFA Cup second leg at Panathinaikos, all is not lost. Their overall performance in the first leg was decent but the Greek side's keeper, Galinovic, was equal to any of their attacks. Like so many of the better teams in the smaller leagues, Panathinaikos are fairly well organised and neat and tidy in possession but lack quality up front. Scoring goals is the hardest job in football and that's why top goal scorers command the biggest fees and that's why only Europe's elite have them in their ranks. And this is Europe's subsidiary cup tournament.

Panathinaikos are currently a point behind Olympiakos in the Greek league and should include former Tottenham striker, Postiga, on loan from Porto, in their starting line up. Fellow on loan striker, Man Utd's Manucho, isn't expected to play. What will encourage Rangers is that in twenty league games this season Panathinaikos have only scored twenty-nine goals.

Ranger's cause in finding the net will not be helped by Whittaker and Thomson being injured and Darcheville being suspended. It's anyone's guess who Walter Smith will select up front, having surprisingly selected McCulloch and Novo in the first leg, but the fact remains that if Rangers score, their opponents will have to score twice to progress. With this in mind, The Gers are a good bet at [4.5] to win - Panathinaikos are at just [1.96].