Thursday Preview: Malmö’s Stable League Performance Allows Focus on European Competition, Rangers’ Away Form Less Than Impressive

On September 27 at 00:45, the first round of the Europa League will see Malmö host Scottish Premiership powerhouse Rangers at the Swedbank Stadion.

Malmö secured a convincing 4-0 home victory over Helsingborg in the 23rd round of the Allsvenskan on September 22. The team captain, Kristiansen, started the game and scored twice, showcasing an outstanding performance. Additionally, Malmö’s defense has been rock-solid in their last four matches across all competitions, conceding no goals, largely thanks to the 38-year-old goalkeeper Dahlin’s excellent saves. However, in the Champions League qualifiers, Malmö’s defense still showed some instability, conceding four goals over two legs against Faroe Islands’ Klaksvík and five goals over two legs against PAOK Salonika, indicating there is room for improvement in European competition.

Currently, Malmö sits atop the Allsvenskan table with 16 wins, 5 draws, and 3 losses. They lead second-placed Djurgårdens IF by 11 points, providing manager Rikard Norling with ample opportunity to focus fully on preparing for the Europa League. In this season’s 11 home league matches, Malmö has won 10 and lost only one, conceding just four goals. Looking ahead at their schedule, Malmö’s upcoming league opponents are mid-to-lower table teams like Mjällby and Varberg, presenting minimal pressure.

In terms of squad availability, Malmö welcomes back young defender Sjöström and veteran striker Rex, both rested during the weekend’s league match. However, Montenegrin forward Haksabanović, who previously played for Celtic and knows Rangers well, remains sidelined due to a groin injury. Also out are the experienced defensive duo of Månisson and Legiwiński, who are season-long absentees.

Rangers claimed a narrow 1-0 away win against Dundee United in the fifth round of the Scottish Premiership on September 15. Welsh midfielder Lawrence scored early, allowing Rangers to rest key players while maintaining their lead. In the Scottish Cup over the weekend, Rangers fielded their strongest lineup and comfortably beat Dundee FC 3-0 to reach the semi-finals, with Nigerian striker Dessers scoring twice, a standout performance.

In the Scottish Premiership table, Rangers currently sit third with three wins, one draw, and one loss. This season, they continue to challenge Celtic for the title. However, Rangers’ defensive performance away from home has not been ideal, conceding three goals against Celtic in the derby and a goal against struggling Dynamo Kyiv in a neutral venue, leading to elimination. Belgian coach Clemens seems yet to find the right balance between attack and defense. In last season’s Europa League, Rangers were eliminated by Benfica in the Round of 16, losing 2-3 on aggregate. This season, the team aims to progress further in Europe.

For squad news, Rangers will be without attackers Danilo and Matondo for this match. Matondo, known for his speed, has shown promise since joining from Schalke. Turkish defender Ilmaz is also likely to miss out due to a thigh injury. On the bright side, central defenders Souttar and Propper, both over 190 cm tall, offer a natural advantage against physically imposing Nordic teams.

In the previous four encounters, Malmö holds a clear edge with three wins and one draw. In this match, Malmö will leverage their home advantage to secure a strong start in the competition, while Rangers, despite tactical issues and inconsistent away form, hope to ignite a youth storm in Scandinavia. What sparks will fly between these two teams?

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