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UEFA Cup Betting: Brave Rangers likely to crash out to Mutu's Fiorentina

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"Knowledgeable" Nik Wardle looks ahead to Thursday night's UEFA Cup semi as Rangers, deprived of key players, try to cause an unlikely upset against Fiorentina

Rangers' European adventure continues on Thursday night with their home leg against Fiorentina in the semi-final of the UEFA Cup. These two clubs met in the final of the now defunct Cup Winners Cup in 1961 with the Italian club winning 4-1 on aggregate.

There can be no talk of revenge as none of the players involved were even born when those games took place but what is certain is that both clubs will be looking to progress to the final to boost their standing in the European game. After a few indifferent seasons in the early part of this century, the UEFA Cup is beginning to gain importance again.

The Glasgow giants will be far from full-strength. Their impressive goalkeeper McGregor is out for the season, captain Ferguson and fellow central midfielder Thomson are suspended and the following are all out injured: Adam, Beasley, Burke, Naismith and McCulloch. This game comes on the back of them being taken to penalties by St Johnstone on Sunday and the two legs are either side of the vital Old Firm game this Sunday. It's a busy time for The Gers.

The Viola, like Rangers, have exceeded expectations so far this season. With just four games to go in Serie A, they're four points ahead of Milan and Sampdoria in the final Champions League placing. This despite losing their star striker Toni to fellow UEFA Cup semi-finalists Bayern Munich last summer.

Adrian Mutu is now their main man and has six goals in the competition already. The veteran Christian Vieri is still a dangerous opponent, although he's used more as an impact substitute these days. Fiorentina are pretty much at full strength except centre-half Tomáš Ujfaluši.

I expect Rangers to approach both games as if they are the away side and look to play on the counter. They have pacey attacking players available in Cousin, Darcheville and Novo and whoever plays will need to be at their most efficient in a game likely to have few chances. Both sides will probably be happy with a 0-0 at Ibrox and the odds for this are [8.0]. It's [3.05] for The Gers to keep a clean sheet and [2.88] for The Viola. Rangers are currently trading at [3.05] to win the first leg, with Fiorentina at [2.8] and the draw at [3.15].

Both sides presently have one European trophy to their name. Fiorentina are the current second favourites to add to their tally with this years' UEFA Cup at [3.7], with Rangers at [7.0]. Bayern are strong favourites at [2.14] with their opponents Zenit St Petersburg at [7.8]. The Footballing romantics would probably like to see Luca Toni face his old club in the final at Eastlands, Manchester, in May and I reckon they'll get their wish.