The Ibrox side have yet to concede a goal in this season’s Champions League. Walter Smith’s men are coming off of a second half comeback against Motherwell in the Scottish Premier League, where the champions came from a goal down to score four without reply to remain at the top of the table, above rivals Celtic.
Although the game against Valencia is vital, Smith has to look forward to the crucial Old Firm game on Sunday against second-placed Celtic, so the Rangers gaffer will want to make sure that the injury list at Ibrox does not increase.
The former Scotland manager knows that a home victory on Wednesday will give the Gers the best possible platform for a last 16 place in the Champions League.
He spoke about the possibility of qualification, saying: “The Champions League is an unforgiving environment but the next game is vital for us in terms of European football in the New Year. If, and it's a big if, we could manage to beat Valencia at home, I think that would go a long way to securing some kind of European football after January.”
Valencia Looking To Bounce Back
The Spanish side make their way to Scotland after a 2-1 defeat away to Barcelona at the Nou Camp, which was Valencia’s first defeat in the Primera Division since May. Unai Emery’s men will be looking to put on a similar performance at Ibrox as they did against Barca, but with a different outcome.
Valencia are now sitting in third place in the league after some fantastic performances with what is a different team compared to last season, with the loss of star players such as David Silva and David Villa.
They understand that a victory in Glasgow would help them towards their expected qualification after they suffered a one goal defeat at home to Manchester United in their previous Champions League fixture.
Valencia know that three points is a must from their visit to Ibrox, with midfielder Juan Mata saying: “It will be a very important game against Rangers, but I don’t think it will be decisive because there are still three matches to go after the one in Glasgow. We have back-to-back games against Rangers and we will try to win them and put ourselves in a strong position to qualify from the group. We still have a margin of error, but we don’t really want to fall any further behind them.”
TEAM NEWS
Rangers
Goalkeeper Allan McGregor returns for the Ibrox side after serving a one-match ban in their home league fixture against Motherwell on Saturday.
Lee McCulloch will be on the sidelines for Walter Smith’s men after sustaining a groin injury during the first half of Scotland’s Euro 2012 qualifying game against Spain.
Also unavailable for the SPL champions will be James Beattie, who has a thigh problem, as well as young striker John Fleck who is still out after suffering a recurrence of the hamstring injury he picked up in pre-season.
Defender Kirk Broadfoot may return after missing the Motherwell game due to a foot injury.
Possible XI: McGregor; Whittaker, Weir, Bougherra, Papac; Weiss, Edu, Davis, Naismith; Lafferty, Miller.
Valencia
The Spanish side will visit Ibrox without the services of both Mehmet Topal and Joaquin who are suffering from ankle injuries.
Portuguese defender Miguel is also unavailable after sustaining a thigh injury in training a week ago, along with Dutch star Hedwiges Maduro, who tore his left hamstring at home to Manchester United in their last Champions League game.
The good news for Unai Emery is that he has been able to welcome back midfield playmaker Ever Banega, who came straight back into the side at the Nou Camp on Saturday after returning from an ankle injury that kept him out for a month.
Possible starting line-up: Sanchez; Bruno, Navarro, Costa, Matheiu; Topal, Banega, Tino Costa, Mata; Hernandez; Aduriz.
Prediction
Rangers will be looking for at least a point from this fixture after their victory against Bursaspor in their previous Champions League game, while Valencia will be wanting to get back on track after defeat to Manchester United and should secure victory.
Rangers 1-2 Valencia 
