Ajax vs. Rangers: Time, TV channel, stream, betting odds as Scottish giants end 12-year UEFA Champions League exile

When Rangers lost to Swedish club Malmo in the third round of UEFA Champions League qualifying in 2011-12, the Scottish giants probably didn't imagine that it would be another 11 years before they returned to the group stage of the competition.

After some near-misses — including another defeat to Malmo at the same stage last season — a 3-2 aggregate win against the odds versus PSV gave Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side a place in the competition he won as a player with Barcelona in 2006.

A trip to four-time champions Ajax looks an onerous challenge as Rangers aim to improve on a record of one win in their past 16 group-stage matches, a run that includes nine defeats.

Can the visitors make it two wins in two weeks in Van Bronckhorst's native Netherlands, or will Ajax start off as they began during their perfect group stage last season? Here's how to tune in.

MORE: Celtic vs. Rangers result: Bhoys put four past Gers in one-sided Old Firm derby

What time is Ajax vs. Rangers?

Ajax play host to Rangers at the Johan Cruijff ArenA. The match kicks off at 5.45 p.m. BST on Wednesday, September 7.

How to watch Ajax vs. Rangers

UK: BT Sport will be showing the match live on TV and online/via the BT Sport app.

USA: CBS streams every match on Paramount+, with select matches televised on CBS or CBS Sports Network. Univision places select matches across its TV networks (Univision, TUDN, UniMas, and Galavision) and also makes all matches from the group stage on available via its ViX streaming platform. Any matches televised by either CBS or Univision can also be streamed on fuboTV.

Canada: Every Champions League game streams live on DAZN.

Australia: Fans can watch the action via Stan Sport.

Ajax vs. Rangers predicted lineups

Austria defensive midfielder Florian Grillitsch could make his Ajax debut after joining the club on a free transfer last week.

On-loan Sevilla winger Lucas Ocampos played for Alfred Schreuder's side for the first time when he was introduced from the bench during their 4-0 win at home to Cambuur on Saturday, when fellow substitute Mohammed Kudus also staked his claim for a starting berth by scoring.

Ajax predicted lineup (4-3-3): Pasveer (GK) — Rensch, Timber, Bassey, Blind — Alvarez, Klaassen, Berghuis — Tadic, Brobbey, Bergwijn

Rangers attacker Ianis Hagi remains out with a long-term knee injury but hopes to play some part in their group-stage campaign.

Van Bronckhorst will be tempted to ring changes after watching his side suffer a hammering at arch-rivals Celtic in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday, falling three behind within 41 minutes at Celtic Park.

Rangers predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): McLaughlin (GK) — Tavernier, Goldson, Sands, Barisic — Davis, Lundstram — Wright, Kent, Arfield — Colak

MORE: PSV vs. Rangers result, highlights & analysis as Colak's goal secures spot in Champions League group stage

Ajax vs. Rangers betting odds

Aside from their three successive European Cup glories between 1970 and 1973 and Champions League triumph in 1995, Ajax's short odds reflect their recent pedigree in the competition.

The dominant side in the Eredivisie have reached the group stage for the fifth season in a row and have got to the knockout stage twice in that run.

Head coach Schreuder has lost stars including Sebastian Haller — the scorer of 11 goals in the Champions League last season despite Ajax departing in the round of 16 — and defender Lisandro Martínez and winger Antony, who have both been reunited with Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.

Ajax have started their domestic season with five wins and 16 goals. With Liverpool and Napoli elsewhere in the group, Schreuder will expect an opening win.