Rangers vs Viktoria Plzen Prediction 05.08.2025 | UEFA Champions League

Rangers extended their unbeaten run into the new 2025–26 season, but they will have been disappointed to leave Fir Park with just a point, having squandered an early advantage in a 1-1 stalemate with Motherwell in their Premiership curtain-raiser.

However, there's little time for Rangers to linger on the frustration of the weekend, as they must quickly switch gears and channel their focus into a pivotal continental clash—one they’ll aim to navigate as decisively as their 3-1 aggregate triumph over Panathinaikos in the previous stage.

While Russell Martin has yet to taste defeat since stepping into the managerial role, the Scottish coach still faces a pressing task in tightening up his backline, with his team managing only a single shutout in five games so far, including pre-season fixtures.

Despite the frustration of dropping points late in their last outing, the same starting eleven is expected to feature in midweek European action, including summer arrivals Djiga, Aarons, and Rothwell.

Meanwhile, Viktoria Plzen arrive at Ibrox with fresh legs and full focus, having been granted a weekend off by the LFA, who postponed their domestic clash with Mlada Boleslav—allowing the Czech side to channel all their energy into this crucial first leg of their Champions League tie.

Before that, Miroslav Koubek’s side made an impressive start to the Czech top flight, kicking off the campaign with a dominant 5-1 away victory over Pardubice, before being held to a 1-1 draw by Jablonec on matchday two after conceding a late equaliser.

In the second qualifying round of the Champions League, Viktorka came dangerously close to an early exit, but their exceptional character and unwavering fighting spirit saw them stage a remarkable comeback to overturn a two-goal deficit and knock out Servette with a 3-2 aggregate victory.

First-choice goalkeeper Martin Jedlicka suffered a concussion early in matchday two against Jablonec, leading to Florian Wiegele stepping in between the posts.

Lukas Hejda and Cheick Souare continue to recover from injuries and are expected to miss the upcoming first leg with Rangers, while Adrian Zeljkovic is suspended for Tuesday’s fixture after being sent off in the second leg versus Servette.