Rangers vs. RB Leipzig Predictions: Side with shots in Scotland

'It's not the size of the dog in the fight; it's the size of the fight in the dog.'

There's something quite poignant in that quote as Glasgow Rangers gear up for the biggest European night in a long, long time.

The Scots left Germany somewhat wounded, but it was just enough to encourage half of Glasgow that Europa delights are within reach. It was a spirited showing that restricted an often-rampant RB Leipzig outfit to the solitary goal.

Leipzig rode their luck in claiming the slender lead, you could say. Perhaps Domenico Tedesco's squad were feeling the nerves. After all, it was a semi-final first leg on home soil.

A raucous Ibrox will offer no solace for a weary traveller if that's the case. Instead, expect hoards of Glasgow blue to provide a collective roar worthy of unsettling the toughest of opposition. Admittedly, it will be far from straightforward, yet Borussia Dortmund's visit highlights what can happen when a European heavyweight comes to town. 

BVB's February jaunt away from the Westfalenstadion should provide a sense of comfort for Rangers fans. In that fixture, up against an arguably superior Bundesliga outfit, Rangers held a misfiring Dortmund to a 2-2 draw. In 90-minutes, the Gers hit 11 shots to the visitors' 16 - an Ibrox spectacle that won't be forgotten any time soon.

With the lay of the land how it is, and the impetus on Rangers to attack and work openings, I'm inclined to harness the home side's shots to get them onside. 

Away from home and with a lack of attacking options, Rangers managed seven first leg shots. It is an impressive total considering the defensive approach to the first leg. Therefore, with the game state now how it is and Rangers having to attack and provide attempts at goal, we should see that number creep into double figures.

At Ibrox in the Europa League, Rangers average 16.14 shots per90. When taking trips abroad into account, the figure drops to 12.73, but still one that would land the main play here.

On the other hand, RB Leipzig have a 10.60 shots conceded average from the Europa League this season. In Germany, from a bigger sample size than their five matches in tonight's competition, Leipzig's conceded figure stands at 10.52 from 31.

The data reinforces that shots should come for the home side. The higher lines may be a bit of a stretch to land, but with a sold-out Ibrox attempting to encourage the ball over the line, the O12.5 and O14.5 shot lines certainly have a chance.

Rangers' European semi will certainly not be an uneventful one. If there's one thing I can guarantee, it's that the eleven in blue will give it everything. Whether that feeds into the narrative for an abundance of shots is another question entirely, but I have a sneaky suspicion it will.