Verdict: Rangers win

Best Odds: 1/1

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Getting their Champions League qualifying showdown underway on Tuesday night, Rangers will welcome Panathinaikos to Ibrox for their first-leg meeting.

Rangers

Starting with the hosts, officially appointing Ross Martin last month, the former Southampton boss knows that he must hit the ground running at Ibrox. Settling for another silver medal finish among Scotland’s elite last season, the Blues rightfully come under a huge amount of scrutiny. Signing off the 2024/25 campaign with an action-packed 2-2 stalemate away at Hibernian, Martin’s new squad remarkably won just a pair of their final nine appearances across all competitions. Desperate to claim an essential first-leg advantage on Tuesday night, it should be highlighted that Rangers broke a string of unwanted records last season. In fact, the Scottish giants mustered just two wins from any of their last nine showdowns at Ibrox – a rut that stemmed all the way back to February 2nd.

Rangers Team News

Completing a summer loan switch from Premier League outfit Bournemouth, Max Aarons should make his full Rangers debut on Tuesday night and start at right-back. Despite missing the final five appearances last season with a muscle issue, Turkish international Ridden Yilmaz could feature here.

Notching 18 Premiership strikes last season and claiming Rangers’ Golden Boot, attacking talisman Cyriel Dessers will play a leading role in the final third at Ibrox. Scotland international John Souttar will start at the heart of Martin’s defence.

Panathinaikos

As for the visitors, while Panathinaikos might have signed off their summer preparations with a 3-1 victory against Belgium-based outfit Westerlo, Rui Vitoria’s men find themselves in an almost identical position to Tuesday’s opponents. Forced to settle for their own respective silver medal finish among Greece’s elite last season, the former Benfica boss knows that stability is key this time around. Last seen in competitive action on May 11th slumping to a 1-0 loss at home against bitter domestic rivals Olympiacos, the Greens also collected consecutive Super League victories on just a single occasion so far this calendar year. It should also be highlighted, on what has become an alarming rut, Panathinaikos have mustered just a sole win from any of their 11 away fixtures throughout 2025.

Panathinaikos Team News

Completing a summer switch from French outfit Nantes last month, former Liverpool misfit Pedro Chirivella looks set to make his Panathinaikos debut in midweek. Likewise, ex-Manchester United starlet Facundo Pellistri will feature here.

One-time Manchester City youngster Erik Palmer-Brown could play some part at Ibrox on Tuesday night. Completing a permanent switch from Galatasaray last summer, former Leicester loanee Tete will play a leading role in attack.

Rangers vs Panathinaikos Key Factors to Consider

• When Rangers and Panathinaikos last met back in 2008, Tuesday’s opponents played out a 1-1 stalemate in Athens.
• Rangers mustered just a pair of wins from any of their final nine consecutive appearances at Ibrox last season.
• Panathinaikos have remarkably registered just a single competitive victory outside of Athens so far this calendar year.
• The Greens have also failed to record a sole clean sheet on their travels throughout 2025.
• Six of Rangers final seven appearances last season finish with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

Officially getting Martin’s tenure underway on Tuesday night, the ex-Southampton boss will be desperate to make an immediate impact at Ibrox. Breaking a string of unwanted records last season as they were forced to settle for yet another silver medal finish, the Blues gained an unwanted reputation for their struggles on home soil. However, despite winning just a pair of their final nine showdowns in Glasgow when signing off the 2024/25 campaign, Martin’s new squad could be smelling a potential opportunity here. With Panathinaikos mustering just a single win outside of Athens so far this calendar year, we are backing Rangers to claim a crucial first-leg advantage in midweek.

Verdict: Rangers win

Best Odds: 1/1

Bookmaker: Dachbet