These two clubs have met twice before, clashing in the Champions League group stages in 2000, with Rangers 5-0 winners at Ibrox before a 2-0 defeat at the then-named Arnold Schwarzenegger Stadium, helping Sturm Graz top the section.
Die Schwoazn have won both previous home games against Scottish opposition, also beating Livingston 5-2 in 2002; Rangers have lost their last two visits to Austria, their sole visit there coming against Rapid Wien at Praterstadion in the European Cup 61 years ago.
Sturm Graz vs Rangers preview
After both were beaten in their respective Europa League openers, who will get off the mark in Austria? Rangers' truly miserable season continued last Thursday, beaten 1-0 by Genk in Glasgow, seeing Mohamed Diomandé sent off on the cusp of half time, before former Celtic striker Oh Hyeon-gyu scored the night's only goal. The Gers did beat Panathinaikos and Viktoria Plzeň in the early rounds of Champions League qualifying, but were then ignominiously hammered 9-1 by Club Brugge in the play-off round, their heaviest aggregate defeat for 65 years.
Overall, this season could hardly have gone much worse for under-fire manager Russell Martin. The Light Blues failed to win any of their first five Premiership fixtures, making it their worst start to a league season since 1978. At the sixth attempt, the Gers claimed a first win of the season on Sunday, with Max Aarons lashing home a dramatic 94th minute winner against Livingston at Almondvale.
Turning their attention back to the Europa League, Rangers finished eighth in last season's inaugural league phase, but few are forecasting they'll repeat that feat. After this, they'll also travel to Brann, Ferencváros and Porto, while welcoming Roma, Braga and Ludogorets Razgrad to Govan, making every point precious, so will they leave Liebenauer Stadium with one or perhaps even all three?
Just like their visitors, Sturm Graz were steamrollered in August's Champions League play-offs, demolished 5-0 by Bodø/Glimt in the Arctic Circle, making their 2-1 victory in Klagenfurt six nights later of little consequence. Die Schwoazn though have won back-to-back Austrian Bundesliga titles, having not won the title since 2011 beforehand, ending RB Salzburg's period of dominance. This has seen them qualify for a group stage in each of the last five seasons, having only appeared at this stage of a UEFA competition twice since 2000 prior to this recent resurgence.
On matchday one, Jürgen Säumel's side were beaten 2-0 by Midtjylland, with Oliver Christensen responsible for an early own goal in Herning. Thus, Sturm Graz have now won just six of their last 24 European matches, finishing 30th in last season's Champions League table. They have won five of seven league matches so far this season, including a 2-0 away win at RB Salzburg, but are far from a formidable force, so can Rangers spark their season into life with a victory in Graz?
Sturm Graz vs Rangers head-to-head record
- Matches Played: 2.
- Sturm Graz Wins: 1. Draws: Zero. Rangers Wins: 1.
Sturm Graz team news
Jürgen Säumel is without the injured Arjan Malić, Otar Kiteishvili and Axel Kayombo.
His starting lineup that beat TSV Hartberg on Sunday saw only two changes compared to the team beaten by Midtjylland, with Sturm Graz's lineup laregely settled.
Sturm Graz predicted lineup vs Rangers: (4-4-2): Christensen; Oermann, Aiwu, Lavalée, Karić; Gorenc Stanković, Hödl, Chukwuani, Horvat; Grgić, Jatta.
Sturm Graz player to watch vs Rangers
Seedy Jatta is Sturm Graz's top-scorer this season with five, on target against Bodø/Glimt in the Champions League play-off round, so will he be the hero here?
Rangers team news
Sunday's win at Livingston means Russell Martin lives to fight another day, but he is without Mohamed Diomandé, following his red card against Genk. So, with Lyall Cameron injured, Connor Barron is likely to come in as Nicolas Raskin's partner, chosen over Joe Rothwell.
In attack, new signing Youssef Chermiti was chosen to lead the line against Genk, his first start for the club, but Bojan Miovski will get the nod here, having scored four European goals during his time at Aberdeen. Oliver Antman and Djeidi Gassama will complete the forward line, the latter having netted four times during Champions League qualifying.
Rangers predicted lineup vs Sturm Graz: (4-3-3): Butland; Tavernier, Cornelius, Souttar, Meghoma; Raskin, Barron, Aasgaard; Antman, Gassama, Miovski.
Rangers player to watch vs Sturm Graz
James Tavernier scored his 134th goal for Rangers at the weekend, not bad for a right-back. This will be the captain's 104th appearances in UEFA competition for the club, so can he add to his 20 European goals?
Sturm Graz vs Rangers prediction
We are backing Sturm Graz fo a narrow victory at Liebenauer Stadium on Thursday because, frankly, visitors Rangers are a complete mess, so will surely struggle: Sturm Graz 2-1 Rangers.
Sturm Graz vs Rangers FAQs - UEFA Europa League
How to watch Sturm Graz vs Rangers in the Europa League on TV channel?
Sturm Graz vs Rangers in the Europa League will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: TNT Sports 2
- USA: Paramount+
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Sturm Graz vs Rangers in the Europa League on live streaming?
Sturm Graz vs Rangers in the Europa League will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: Discovery+
- USA: Paramount+
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Sturm Graz vs Rangers in the Europa League?
Sturm Graz vs Rangers takes place on Thursday 2 October 2025, with kick off at 20:00 (BST), 15:00 (EDT) & 12:00 (PDT).