Rangers will be looking to pick up their first point in the Champions League on Wednesday night, but it will be a tough task against group leaders Napoli.
The 2022/23 Champions League campaign has been a poor one for Rangers, with Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side bottom of Group A with zero points and a -15 goal difference. The last outing in the European competition saw the Gers beaten 7-1 at home against Liverpool in the Battle of Britain return, confirming their exit from Europe's elite tournament.
Rangers can still qualify for the Europa League though, but it will require them to beat Ajax and pick up at least a point against Napoli whilst hoping the Dutch side lose to Liverpool. There's also a possibility of Rangers qualifying if they lose to Napoli, but it would be a very tall order.
READ MORE: Napoli vs Rangers on TV: Channel, kick-off time and live stream details for Champions League battle
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The reverse fixture between Rangers and Napoli saw the Italian side win 3-0 at the Ibrox. Ianis Hagi, Filip Helander, Connor Goldson, Ryan Jack, John Souttar and Tom Lawrence are all ruled out for the clash in Naples.
So, could Rangers put a stop to Napoli's rampant form on Wednesday night? We used FIFA 23 to try and predict the score.
Napoli vs Rangers score predicted by simulation
To complete this simulation, we used FIFA 23 and updated the Liverpool squad with the latest injuries and suspensions.
We predict that the Gers could set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with their line-up as follows: McGregor, Tavernier, King, Davies, Barisic; Davis, Lundstram; Matondo, Arfield, Kent; Colak.
We predict that the Italian side could set up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: Meret; Lorenzo, Min-Jae, Jesus, Olivera; Ndombele, Lobotka, Zielinski; Lozano, Osimhen, Kvaratskheila.
Rangers started the game with promise in Naples, with Ryan Kent testing the 'keeper twice as he stung Alex Meret's gloves with long-range efforts. The first half ended 0-0, but the quality of Napoli proved too difficult to keep at bay as the hosts took the lead after 62 minutes.
Hirving Lozano picked up the ball on the right, and as Borna Barasic lunged in to make the challenge, the winger skipped past the defender to break forward. Lozano's through ball was picked up by Victor Osimhen inside the box, and the striker rolled a cross into the area for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to sweep past McGregor.
Napoli had been in control in the second half, and the goal was deserved. Rangers continued to press as they looked for an equaliser, and they found it with 15 minutes to go through substitute Alfredo Morelos.
James Tavernier's corner into the box was aimed towards a sea of Rangers bodies crowding Meret, forcing the 'keeper to unconvincingly punch clear. The loose ball fell to Morelos inside the box, and after plucking the ball out of the air, he drilled a shot across goal and into the far corner.
Rather than going for a winner, Rangers opted to sit back and hold out for the draw, with Napoli's pressure constant as the hosts look to keep up their winning run in the Champions League. As the game entered the final minutes of added time, Rangers had their point snatched from them as the hosts made it 2-1.
A long ball forward from Napoli was headed clear by Ben Davies, but Rangers failed to win the second ball as Tanguy Ndombele sent the ball back over the Gers' back line and through to the untracked Elijf Elmas. The midfielder was one-on-one with McGregor and powered past the 'keeper to claim the victory for his side at the death.
FIFA 23 predicted final score: Napoli 2-1 Rangers
Here are the full-time match stats.
FIFA 23 predicts that despite their best efforts, Rangers were beaten 2-1 by Napoli in the simulation. Defeat would mean that the Gers would no longer be able to qualify for the Europa League unless Ajax lost to Liverpool by a big margin and Rangers could do the same to the Dutch side next week to end on a higher goal difference.
What do you think the score will be between Napoli and Rangers on Wednesday? Let us know in the comments!
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