This Europa League qualifying tie had looked, on paper at least, a bit of a cakewalk for Rangers.
Steven Gerrard's side were making heavy weather of the first leg against Alashkert even before the 43rd-minute sending off of John Lundstram, but eventually came away with a one-goal victory, much to the relief of punters who took the 1/10 about the hosts pre-match.
In truth, the 5,000-mile round trip and the prospect of searing temperatures in the Armenian capital are Rangers biggest concerns going into a second leg, which they are 1/3 to win with Grosvenor Sport. The hosts are 15/2 outsiders while the 90-minute draw is 4/1.
Alashkert's miserable start to their domestic season continued at the weekend when they were held to a goalless draw by Junior Sevan in their own stadium.
Rangers will once again be without the services of strikers Glen Kamara and Kemar Roofe but Alfredo Morelos will be ably supported by Ryan Kent and Ianis Hagi so the Gers still have enough attacking threat to finish this tie.
As long as Rangers don't do anything silly, they really should be able to book their place in Friday's Europa League draw but the bookmakers know that too, which is why the Gers are 1/50 to qualify.
That's isn't a price that will tempt many punters but there are a couple of appealing betting options for this game. Alashkert managed just one goal attempt in the first leg despite playing against ten men for just over half the game and they have not managed a single goal in any of their opening three domestic league matches.
With that mind, betting both teams to score (NO) at 3/4 with Grosvenor Sport rates a solid selection but there is better value to be had in backing Rangers to win to nil at 11/10, so that's the play.
TIP
