Bayer Leverkusen coach Peter Bosz believes Rangers have an advantage in this tie because they have the support of their fans tonight, while his side will not because the second leg is to be played behind closed doors.

"I'm looking forward to playing here [Ibrox]," Bosz said. "But when you play in front of home fans they are for you and that's an advantage if we are playing in front of an empty stadium.

"To be honest, the competition has been devalued. Fans should be there. No one is to blame, but it is strange."

Image source, Getty Images

The UK government is considering banning sporting fixtures amid the coronavirus outbreak - but it will not happen immediately.

Earlier, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the UK will move to the "delay" phase of its plan to tackle the virus.

There have been 596 confirmed cases across the UK.

"We are considering banning major public events like sporting fixtures," said Johnson.

"The scientific advice is this has little effect on the spread - but it does place a burden on other public services."

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has recommended all gatherings of over 500 people be cancelled.

What will the authorities here do?

Neil McCann
Former Hearts & Rangers winger on BBC Sportsound

Bayer Leverkusen sit fifth in the German Bundesliga, and have been in tremendous form since coming back from the winter break. They have lost just one of their 12 games in all competitions since action resumed, winning 10 of them.

That's in stark contrast to Rangers. However, Braga were also in decent form before Rangers knocked them out of the Europa League. Can they overcome the odds again?

You can get the lowdown on Leverkusen here.

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Rangers' domestic troubles have been well documented. What's also been spoken about is how, in the middle of that collapse, they managed to knock out an impressive Braga side in this competition.

Manager Steven Gerrard is hoping they can raise their game again tonight.

"I think anyone who is sitting in the top four of the Bundesliga, you have to respect instantly," he said. "We know what we're dealing with, we know the challenge.

"I think we will find a performance. I can see the boys are focused in their preparation. Sometimes it takes opposition like this to find your best, so let's hope that's the case."

Image source, SNS

Steven Gerrard has decided to make two changes to the Rangers team that overcame Ross County by a solitary goal on Sunday.

Club captain James Tavernier returns at right-back and replaces Matt Polster, suggesting the 28-year-old defender was able to pass a late fitness test for the Ibrox side having been struggling with a foot injury.

Gerrard has dropped Ianis Hagi in favour of Scott Arfield, who has recovered from a muscle injury, as the Canada international takes his place in midfield, with Joe Aribo pushed further forward.

Rangers: McGregor, Tavernier, Goldson, Edmundson, Barisic, Kamara, Davis, Arfield, Aribo, Kent, Morelos

Substitutes: Foderingham, Polster, Halliday, Katic, Ojo, Hagi, Kamberi

Bayer Leverkusen: Hradecky, Tah, Dragovic, Demirbay, Tabsoba, Wendell, Diaby, Aranguiz, Weiser, Havertz, Bellarabi

Substitutes: Ramazan Ozcan, Paulinho, Bailey, Baumgartlinger, Palacios, Stanilewicz, Azhil

Image source, bbc

What would have been a hugely important fixture when the last-16 the draw was made, has now become only a small part of the disruption caused by the spread of the coronavirus.

Leagues across Europe- though not yet in the UK- have been suspended, and Uefa could yet render this match null and void if they choose to cancel European competitions when they meet on Tuesday to discuss their response to the virus.

Anyway, this match goes ahead with fans in the stadium, even if sport takes a back seat during times like these.

Image source, SNS