Rangers have won five of six home games against Czech opposition, recently beating Sparta Prague in both 2021 and 2023, their sole defeat coming at the hands of Slavia Prague behind-closed-doors in 2020/21.
Viktoria Plzeň meantime have only ever faced a Scottish club once before, this coming 12 months ago, dumping Heart of Midlothian out of the Europa League play-offs, winning both legs 1-0.
Rangers vs Viktoria Plzeň preview
This is a massive tie for both clubs, but who will keep their Champions League dreams alive? Rangers dumped out Panathinaikos in the previous round, winning the first leg 2-0 at Ibrox, thanks to second half strikes from teenager Findlay Curtis and then debutant Djeidi Gassama. Eight nights later in Athens, just as the Greek side halved the deficit through Filip Đuričić, the Gers went straight up the other end and equalised through Gassama again, rubber stamping their spot in this round.
The Light Blues are aiming to reach the Champions League group phase for just the second time since 2010. They did make it in 2022, but have fallen in qualifiers at the hands of PSV Eindhoven and Dynamo Kyiv subsequently. Well, Russell Martin's team might not be coming in this crucial clash in high spirits. In their Premiership season opener on Saturday, Rangers were held to a 1-1 draw by Motherwell at Fir Park, taking the lead through a rare James Tavernier header, only to concede four minutes from time, lucky to leave Lanarkshire with anything. After the match, new manager Martin called out his players, a risky strategy so early into his tenure, so will he see a reaction here?
As for Viktoria Plzeň, they pulled off an unlikely comeback in the previous round, so cannot be underestimated. Taking on Swiss side Servette, Miroslav Koubek's side lost the first leg 1-0 at home, before going 1-0 down inside four minutes in Geneva, at which point they appeared dead and buried. However, quick-fire goals from Karel Spáčil and Matěj Vydra made it level on aggregate before, with three minutes to play, Rafiu Durosinmi converted a penalty, thereby completing the remontada.
Viktoria Plzeň have become European regulars in recent years, featuring in ten UEFA group stages since their debut 14 years ago, getting to the Europa League round of 16 last time round, ultimately dumped out by Lazio. The six-times Czech champions have featured in the Champions League on four occasions, 2011, 2013, 2018 and 2022, winning each of their last nine UEFA qualifiers, a sequence they're hoping will continue.
The winners of this tie will take on RB Salzburg or Club Brugge in the Champions League play-offs, with the losers dropping into the Europa League league phase; no more qualifiers for them. Ahead of next Tuesday's return fixture at Stadion města Plzně, will there be a winner in Glasgow?
Rangers vs Viktoria Plzeň head-to-head record
These two clubs have never previously met.
Rangers team news
Russell Martin's lineups have been very settled so far but, given his scathing assessment following Saturday's draw, one will surely not be surprised if he shakes things up here.
The only change he has made across three matches so far was bringing Djeidi Gassama into the XI against Motherwell, after the winger netted during both legs against Panathinaikos. Fellow new recruit Lyall Cameron made his debut off the bench at the weekend, while centre-back Emmanuel Fernandez is still awaiting his debut; Mikey Moore has not been registered in time to feature.
Elsewhere, Thelo Aasgaard and Hamza Igamane are injured, while Danilo has started all three matches this season so far up front, but will last season's top-scorer Cyriel Dessers, who has been attracting plenty of interest from elsewhere, get the nod this time?
Rangers predicted lineup vs Viktoria Plzeň: (4-2-3-1): Butland; Tavernier, Djiga, Souttar, Aarons; Rothwell, Raskin, Diomandé, Cortés, Gassama; Dessers.
Rangers player to watch vs Viktoria Plzeň
Right-back James Tavernier headed home his 131st goal for the club on Saturday, 20 of which have come in UEFA competition, so will he produce another big moment at Ibrox in this one?
Viktoria Plzeň team news
Miroslav Koubek's side have had a full week to prepare for this one, the league postponing their trip to Mladá Boleslav, but will this be a help or a hindrance at this early stage of the campaign?
Defensive midfielder Adrian Zeljković is suspended, having been sent off in Geneva last mid-week, while star creator Pavel Šulc won't feature either, after reportedly agreeing to join Olympique Lyonnais for €7.5m. Thus, Lukáš Červ, who scored the winner at Tynecastle a year ago, will be the only member of the midfield trio who started against Servette also doing so here.
Viktoria Plzeň predicted lineup vs Rangers: (3-4-1-2): Wiegele; Marković, Dweh, Jemelka; Havel, Červ, Panoš, Spáčil; Višinský, Vydra, Durosinmi.
Viktoria Plzeň player to watch vs Rangers
Matěj Vydra, formerly of Watford, West Brom, Derby, Burnley and Reading, was on target in the previous round, his 29th goal for the club, so will the veteran striker fire them to victory at Ibrox?
Rangers vs Viktoria Plzeň prediction
We are backing Rangers to make home advantage count, considering they've won 29 of their last 51 European home matches, losing only 11. Nevertheless, the tie certainly won't be decided here, very much set to be in the balance ahead of the meeting in Czechia: Rangers 2-1 Viktoria Plzeň.
Rangers vs Viktoria Plzeň FAQs - UEFA Champions League qualifier
How to watch Rangers vs Viktoria Plzeň Champions League game on TV channel?
Rangers vs Viktoria Plzeň Champions League game will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: BBC iPlayer.
- USA: Rangers TV.
- Canada: Rangers TV.
How to watch Rangers vs Viktoria Plzeň Champions League game on live streaming?
Rangers vs Viktoria Plzeň Champions League game will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: BBC iPlayer.
- USA: Rangers TV.
- Canada: Rangers TV.
What is the date and kick-off time for Rangers vs Viktoria Plzeň in the Champions League?
Rangers vs Viktoria Plzeň takes place on Tuesday 5 August 2025, with kick off at 19:45 (BST), 14:45 (EDT) & 11:45 (PDT).