Gers aware of Diego's threat.Byline: Mark Langdon W BREMEN v RANGERS BBC BBC in full British Broadcasting Corp. Publicly financed broadcasting system in Britain. A private company at its founding in 1922, it was replaced by a public corporation under royal charter in 1927. 1 Scotland, 7.30pm RANGERS are still chasing an amazing quadruple and they would have to be considered serious Uefa Cup runners if they can finish the job against Werder Bremen in Germany this evening, writes Mark Langdon. Walter Smith's team take a 2-0 first-leg advantage to Bremen and they are strong favourites to progress to the quarter-finals of a quality competition that has done wonders for the battered reputation of the Uefa Cup. However, it is no forgone conclusion for Rangers and they will have to be on their guard with Bremen more than capable of scoring enough goals to qualify. The current situation won't unduly faze Bremen, who have found themselves in this predicament because of two goalkeeping mistakes rather than being outplayed at Ibrox last week. Thomas Schaaf's team are built to attack so they will be confident of getting themselves back into the tie, although Rangers will also fancy their chances of notching a vital away goal on the break. That would explain why bookmakers are going as low as 4-7 for over 2.5 goals (Blue Square are a best-priced 8-11) and you would still probably rather be on the overs than unders. However, a better value bet may be had in the first goalscorer market where Diego looks overpriced at 7-1. The Brazilian playmaker play·mak·er n. A player in a sport with goals, such as a guard in basketball, who initiates offensive plays. play , who scored 13 Bundesliga goals last season, is Bremen's top scorer with a tally of ten in the league this campaign. On that evidence, he should be favourite, and just because he plays in midfield is not a major negative - just look at Cristiano Ronaldo's goalscoring record. Diego is fresh having missed Saturday's 6-3 defeat at Stuttgart through suspension and he can further enhance his reputation. Possible teams - Werder Bremen (4-3-1-2): Wiese; Fritz, Mertesacker, Naldo, Pasanen; Borowski, Baumann, Jensen; Diego; Rosenberg, Almeida; Rangers (4-1-4-1): McGregor; Broadfoot, Cuellar, Weir, Papac; Hemdani; Davis, Ferguson, Thomson, Adam; McCulloch. Recommendation Diego first goalscorer 0.5pt each-way 7-1 Ladbrokes KEY STAT Expect goals. Werder Bremen have not had a goalless stalemate since April 5 last year TEAM NEWS Werder Bremen Boubacar Sanogo Boubacar Sanogo (born December 17, 1982 in Dimbokro) is an Ivorian football player. Starting his career in Tunisia, he went to Al-Ain in UAE, where he became well-known winning the Asian Cup and being a top goalscorer in the UAE League. , Petri Pasanen Petri Pasanen (born September 24 1980 in Lahti) is a Finnish footballer who currently plays for Werder Bremen in the German Bundesliga. He is a defender who is most comfortable in central defence, but can also play at right back. , Frank Baumann Frank Baumann can refer to different people:
Rangers Jean-Claude Darcheville and Daniel Cousin are sidelined, but Lee McCulloch is fit and reports suggest he could play as the lone frontman front·man n. 1. also front man A man who serves as a nominal leader but who lacks real authority. 2. Music A leading singer with a group. with Nacho Novo and Kris Boyd on the bench. STORY SO FAR W Bremen Rangers 7 Points from last five league games 15 16 Points from last ten league games 30 WWWWWWWLWW Last ten homes/aways (latest on right) LDLWDWWWWW 2.8 Average goals scored in home/away league games 2.0 1.1 Average goals conceded in home/away league games 1.0 n/a Average corners gained 6.5 n/a Average corners conceded 3.2 28.0 Average bookings points (10 per yellow, 25 per red) 12.7 |
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