CL Play-Off Draw: Malmo/Rangers v Olympiakos/Ludogorets, EL draw Kairat/Alashkert

[DMAA 3,603]

They put PSV out of the Europa League last season and then Arsenal put them out, 1-3 loss at home followed by 1-0 win at the Emirates. 

[DMAA 3,603]

Fivethirtyeight’s rankings have us in 49th and them in 54th, so really closely matched. Interestingly we have a marginally better offensive score and they have a marginally better defensive ranking. 
 

For comparison, Young Boys are 50th, Slavia 74th (strange) and RB Salzburg 19th. 
 

Fivethirtyeight give stats some weight as well as results I believe so are a much better gauge than UEFA rankings. 

[alexscottislegend 2,057]

Rankings aside, are they really likely to be tougher than Benfica or Porto whom we have showed up well against?

[Bill 13,717]

If we haven’t learned by now that rankings offer no guarantees then we never will. Unlike geology, in football the past is seldom a guide to the future. What matters is how two teams play on the day. 

[onevision 1,442]

Decent draw should we navigate past Malmo.

[Gonzo79 13,589]

39 minutes ago, Bill said:

If we haven’t learned by now that rankings offer no guarantees then we never will. Unlike geology, in football the past is seldom a guide to the future. What matters is how two teams play on the day. 

In that case, we should probably postpone match threads until kick off.  

[Bill 13,717]

42 minutes ago, Gonzo79 said:

In that case, we should probably postpone match threads until kick off.  

Tetchy for a Monday

[Bluedell 5,329]

If we lose to Malmo we get Kairat (Khazakhstan) or Alashkert (Armenia) in the Europa Cup qualifier.

 

So it's either a trip of 3,300 miles or 4,600 miles for the away leg. Not ideal, but should be winnable.

[PoohBear 1,074]

6 minutes ago, Bluedell said:

If we lose to Malmo we get Kairat (Khazakhstan) or Alashkert (Armenia) in the Europa Cup qualifier.

 

So it's either a trip of 3,300 miles or 4,600 miles for the away leg. Not ideal, but should be winnable.

But if we beat them then I think we are guaranteed europa group stage at a minimum.