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Rangers Europa League group permutations - What Gers need to do to qualify

It’s complicated, Jim.

Rangers v Motherwell - Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

Rapid Vienna picked up a win vs Spartak Moscow tonight, which has changed things in the group dramatically. Rangers face Villarreal at 8pm at Ibrox, and it could go one of three ways. Here are all the possible permutations depending on the result tonight.

Rangers win tonight vs Villarreal

Would see us top the group, a point ahead of Rapid Vienna, with Villarreal and Spartak close behind. In that scenario, a draw or a win in Vienna would guarantee not only qualification but also first place. Obviously, the best case scenario. Even a loss in Vienna might see us through, if the result between Villarreal and Spartak Moscow is a draw.

Rangers draw tonight vs Villarreal

The exact scoreline will affect whether we’re above Villarreal or not on head to head, but it will ultimately make no difference as there is no way we could finish level on points with Villarreal and still qualify. Only a win in Vienna would do.

Rangers lose tonight vs Villarreal

Simple - only a win in Vienna would see us through, with the extra downside that even that wouldn’t be enough were Spartak to win in Spain.