Europa League
2026-08-06 - Jagiellonia vs Rangers
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: UEFA Europa League Third Qualifying Round First Leg
Thursday 6th August 2026 - Kick Off 5pm
Jagiellonia
They won the Polish title in 2024, but Jagiellonia have had to settle for back to back 3rd place finishes domestically. However, this season that has been good enough for Jagiellonia to earn a spot in the Europa League Qualifiers rather than the Conference League Qualifiers like they did twelve months ago.
Despite entering the competition in the Second Qualifying Round, Jagiellonia were able to come through three ties to take their place in the League Phase of the Conference League. The run was only ended by Fiorentina in Knock Out Play Off Round, while Jagiellonia actually reached the Quarter Final in the Conference League the previous season having dropped out of the Champions League and Europa League in the Qualifying Rounds.
Jagiellonia have begun the latest domestic campaign with consecutive wins and they have now only been beaten once in the last 10 games in all competitions going back to last season. Including the end of the 2025/26 season, Jagiellonia have won 3 straight at home ahead of the first UEFA fixture of the campaign.
Rangers
Unlike the English Premier League, the Scottish Premiership has begun just two weeks after the conclusion of the World Cup and that at least gives teams an opportunity to have built up match fitness for the UEFA Qualifiers that have to be negotiated.
It is a big season coming up for Rangers, who finished behind two teams in the Scottish top flight for the first time since 2018. They have appointed a new manager, Derek McInnes, after the impressive season he produced with Hearts, but Rangers fans are still hoping for more signings and there is pressure on the squad to win a couple of ties and make sure this club are back in the Europa League Group Stage.
Rangers had looked to be in a really good position to try and win the Scottish Premiership at the end of last season, but 4 losses in a row ended their hopes. The side have opened the season with a 1-1 away draw at Dundee United and that means Rangers have won 1 of the last 4 away games in all competitions.
New signings are needed to bolster the squad, but Rangers are going to be travelling without the likes of Ben Godfrey and John Souttar.
Head to Head
This is the first competitive fixture between these clubs.
Prediction
Both Jagiellonia and Rangers have enjoyed some really strong successes in UEFA competition in recent years, but the Scottish giants have tended to produce their successes at a higher level.
That does not mean Jagiellonia can be dismissed, but Rangers are right to be set as favourites in this Third Qualifying Round tie.
However, the away tie is going to be a test for Derek McInnes and his new team and the 1-1 draw at Dundee United underlines the tests ahead for the manager and the club.
Signings will help, but Rangers travel having lost the last 6 away European fixtures played.
At the same time, Jagiellonia had been unbeaten in 11 home European ties and had won 7 of those before losing consecutive fixtures against Rayo Vallecano and Fiorentina in the Conference League last season.
Back to back wins to open the season will have given Jagiellonia belief ahead of this First Leg and they do look capable of at least avoiding a defeat before the tie is settled in Glasgow next week.
The Pick :
Jagiellonia 2-1 Rangers
