Contents
- Competition: UEFA Europa League Qualifying - Third Round 1st leg
- Date: Thursday, 6th, August 2026
- Kickoff: 17:00 UK / 18.00 CEST
- Venue: Chorten Arena (Bialystok)
Polish outfit Jagiellonia Bialystok and Scottish giants Rangers will begin their battle for a place in the Europa League league phase on Thursday evening, when they face off in the first leg of their third qualifying round tie.
While the hosts aim to build on their outstanding start to the domestic campaign and take another historic step on the European stage, the Glasgow side will kick off a new continental journey under a new manager with a significantly rebuilt squad.
Jagiellonia team overview
Jagiellonia head into this demanding two-legged contest in buoyant spirits after making the perfect start to their new Ekstraklasa campaign, collecting maximum points from their opening two league fixtures. Such an impressive beginning suggests the Polish outfit have every reason to believe they can make life difficult for the Scottish giants.
Although European competition presents a far greater test than domestic action, Adrian Siemieniec's side have looked remarkably composed and well-balanced in recent weeks. The hosts are currently enjoying a 12-match unbeaten run across all competitions, a sequence that also includes five victories and one draw from six pre-season friendlies, highlighting the consistency they have built ahead of this crucial qualifier.
Jagiellonia will also take confidence from returning to the Chorten Arena, where an expectant home crowd is set to create a hostile atmosphere in the hope of giving their side a valuable first-leg advantage before the tie shifts to the intimidating surroundings of Ibrox. Their formidable home record, featuring seven consecutive victories, only strengthens belief that they can produce another positive result.
The hosts have been handed an additional boost on the team news front, with Siemieniec expected to have a fully fit squad at his disposal after emerging from their latest league success without any fresh injury concerns among his key players.
Last matches of Jagiellonia Białystok
-
Motor Lublin
1 : 2
Jagiellonia Białystok
Ekstraklasa
-
Jagiellonia Białystok
1 : 0
Łomża
Club Friendlies 3
-
Jagiellonia Białystok
1 : 0
Korona Kielce
Ekstraklasa
-
Jagiellonia Białystok
2 : 1
Nordsjaelland
Club Friendlies 3
-
Jagiellonia Białystok
1 : 0
Sparta Prague
Club Friendlies 3
Jagiellonia Białystok lineup
Goalkeeper
-
50
Sławomir Abramowicz
Defenders
-
23
Guilherme Montóia
-
4
Yuki Kobayashi
-
5
Bernardo Vital
-
15
Norbert Wojtuszek
Midfielders
-
7
Kajetan Szmyt
-
21
Sergio Lozano
-
6
Taras Romanczuk
-
27
Rodrigo Conceição
Forwards
-
99
Nik Prelec
-
11
Jesús Imaz
Rangers team overview
For Rangers, this contest marks the beginning of their 2026-27 European campaign in a competition that has produced some memorable moments for the Glasgow giants over the years, most notably their run to the Europa League final five years ago, where they suffered a heartbreaking penalty-shootout defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt.
The Gers endured a disappointing domestic campaign last season, finishing behind both champions Celtic and surprise package Hearts in the Scottish Premiership, a result that prompted sweeping changes at Ibrox and ultimately led to the appointment of the experienced Derek McInnes as the club's new manager.
Following an extensive squad rebuild during the summer transfer window, McInnes has been backed with several high-profile additions, although Rangers made an underwhelming start to their league campaign, coming from behind to salvage a 1-1 draw away at Dundee United in their Premiership opener.
Jose Cifuentes remains the visitors' only notable absentee as the Ecuador international continues his recovery from a knee injury, leaving McInnes with an otherwise fully available squad as he looks for a much-improved display from his side after last weekend's unconvincing performance.
Last matches of Rangers FC
-
Dundee United
1 : 1
Rangers FC
Premiership
-
Rangers FC
0 : 0
West Ham United
Club Friendlies 3
-
Rangers FC
2 : 1
Saint Etienne
Club Friendlies 3
-
Falkirk
2 : 5
Rangers FC
Premiership
-
Rangers FC
1 : 2
Hibernian
Premiership
Rangers FC lineup
Goalkeeper
-
1
Ivor Pandur
Defenders
-
25
Tuur Rommens
-
37
Emmanuel Fernandez
-
4
Ben Godfrey
-
21
Dujon Sterling
Midfielders
-
17
Cammy Devlin
-
10
Mohamed Diomandé
-
23
Djeidi Gassama
-
11
Thelo Aasgaard
-
20
Ryan Naderi
Forwards
-
7
Lawrence Shankland
Prediction
Everything points towards a fiercely contested and tactically intriguing encounter between two sides that have looked far more convincing in the final third than at the back during the early stages of the campaign. Jagiellonia will draw confidence from home advantage and their encouraging domestic form, while Rangers possess the European pedigree and composure required to absorb the early pressure and remain competitive throughout.
We expect an entertaining contest featuring opportunities at both ends, with the spoils ultimately shared. Jagiellonia's attacking threat on home soil, combined with Rangers' experience and dangerous wide players, should produce a game in which both teams find the back of the net.
Three Reasons we expect BTTS - Yes
- Jagiellonia have scored in all but one of their previous 15 matches across all competitions.
- Rangers have conceded 2+ goals in seven of their last eight competitive matches.
- Nine consecutive Rangers competitive matches have seen BTTS.
Main prediction Jagiellonia Białystok - Rangers FC
Both Teams to Score
Best Odds: