Who will win Malmo vs Rangers? Our writers deliver their predictions with Philippe Clement short on backers

It's a revamped Europa League format welcoming a new-look Rangers this season - and a positive start could be key to progressing in the competition.

With fixtures against Manchester United and Tottenham just around the corner in the league phase, the trip to Sweden to face Malmo looks to be one of the kinder fixtures that were pulled out of the hat for Philippe Clement 's side. But history shows that the Swedish champions will be no pushovers - having dealt Rangers several bodyblows in European competitions over the years.

But a spot in the top 24 and a spot in the play-off round is the minimum that the Light Blues will hope for from the competition this season. They look to give a jolt to their European exploits this season having been knocked out of the Champions League by Dynamo Kyiv to drop into the competition.

Will the game give the Light Blues a boost, or provide an unnecessary distraction from domestic duties and Clement's rebuild? The Record Sport team has their say.

Rangers could be doing with a shot in the arm and they just might find it on Sweden’s south coast. Malmo’s high intensity will present them with a difficult night but a point on the road always represents a good result and that shouldn’t be beyond Philippe Clement and his players.

Malmo 1 Rangers 1

The Swedes have had Rangers’ number down the years so the Ibrox side will be well aware of the menace Malmo can pose at the Eleda Stadion. But Philippe Clement’s side have shown some small signs of promise in their last couple of games and if they can keep that up they can kick off their campaign with a decent draw.

Malmo 1 Rangers 1

Rangers don’t have the greatest of recent records against Malmo. I think that may continue. The Swedes are top