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Boxing Benfica vs Rangers Prediction: Team News and Lineups Preview
Tom Winch is on hand with a Benfica vs Rangers prediction, team news, lineups and fixtures preview, as the Scots head to Portugal in the Round of 16 in the Europa League.
Both sides suffered defeats in their previous encounters. I expect both sets of players will want to put things right in Lisbon on Thursday night. The home side are considerable favourites, but you can never underestimate Rangers in these fixtures.
Our Benfica vs Rangers prediction is for Benfica to win the match 2-1.
Benfica vs Rangers Prediction, Team News, Lineups and Fixtures Preview
- Benfica vs Rangers Tip 1: Benfica Win & BTTS
- Benfica vs Rangers Tip 2: Rafa Silva AGS
- Benfica vs Rangers Tip 3: Angel Di Maria Over 0.5 Shots On Target and James Tavernier Over 0.5 Shots
In this article:
- Benfica vs Rangers Team News and Possible Lineups
- Benfica vs Rangers Match Stats
- Benfica Fixtures
- Rangers Fixtures
- Safer Gambling
Benfica vs Rangers Tip 1: Entertaining Opener
Europe, Europa League, Thursday, March 7th, 20:00 (UK)
Benfica are considerable favourites on Thursday night. Roger Schmidt’s men have a strong league record here. They’ve earned 32 points from a possible 36 in the Portuguese top flight. Their Champions League campaign was hugely disappointing. Benfica managed just four points from six matches.
The hosts have suffered defeats in their previous two outings. Sporting claimed a first-leg advantage in the Taca De Portugal. Benfica then visited Porto on Sunday night. They were humiliated. The home side dominated proceedings and scored five without reply.
Rangers have been on a fine run of form. They had won nine consecutive matches in the league before their weekend defeat. Philippe Clement’s men suffered a shock defeat at home to Motherwell.
The last time Rangers failed to score was in October. Clement’s men earned a 0-0 draw at Sparta Prague. They’ve scored at PSV and Real Betis this term. They shouldn’t have huge problems in Lisbon.
It’s tricky to see how either defence manages a clean sheet. Both offences are impressive. They know where the back of the net is. Rangers have lost twice under their Belgian boss. Both of those losses saw his side score.
I expect Benfica to bounce back from their humbling a few days ago. The Portuguese outfit boasts plenty of quality, and with the home fans in attendance, they should be making the most of it. Boosting the home win from 1.57 to 3.10 is a big jump. Rangers will want to put their freak loss behind them and come out with a reaction.
- Benfica vs Rangers Tip 1:Benfica Win & BTTS (TRACKED BET)
- Best Odds: 3.10
- Bookmaker: bet365
- Stake: 4/10
Benfica vs Rangers Tip 2: Benfica’s Brightest Star
Rafa Silva is having a fabulous campaign. The Portuguese international has bagged 17 times in 41 appearances this term. Benfica’s number 27 is on course for the best scoring season of his career. He’s a familiar starter and one I expect to shine at Estádio da Luz.
Only four players have scored more goals in Liga Portugal this term. Rafa Silva has bagged more goals than anyone from his club. The 30-year-old scored two in the group stage of the Champions League. He had five shots across both matches against Toulouse in the previous round.
Rafa Silva isn’t afraid to have a go at goal. In Portugal, he’s had 69 shots in 2019 minutes. That equates to 3.08 shots per 90, with 1.34 hitting the target. A massive 58 of his shots are arriving in the box, which shows he’s getting into good positions.
Our man will play in either two positions. He could lead the line just like he did in Benfica’s previous home clash here. He scored twice that day. Playing as the CAM in a 4-2-3-1 is his primary position.
Rafa Silva is guaranteed a considerable amount of game time. He’s their leading scorer. I like his price in the AGS market. Benfica are a short price to score at least twice in this encounter. If they do, I can see their talisman getting himself on the scoresheet.
- Benfica vs Rangers Tip 2: Rafa Silva AGS (TRACKED BET)
- Best Odds: 3.10
- Bookmaker: bet365
- Stake: 4/10
Benfica vs Rangers Tip 3: Two Consistent Performers
James Tavernier is a Rangers legend. His statistics are outrageous for a right-back. A goal-scoring record plenty of strikers would happily take. The club captain is consistent and often steps up in big European matches for his side. The Englishman is a regular set piece taker and usually fancies himself from range whenever the opportunity arises.
Super Tav has recorded a shot in 19 of his previous 20 matches in the Scottish Premiership, a remarkable record. The captain is great in this competition. Tavernier has managed a shot in five outings from six this term. His only blank arrived in his side’s opening match against Real Betis.
Angel Di Maria is getting on a bit now. Despite being 36, he still oozes class. The Argentinian is a joy to watch. The World Cup winner has scored 14 goals this term from 36 appearances.
In Portugal’s top flight, ADM averages 1.38 shots on target from 1629 minutes of football. The attacker will be on penalty duties, a bonus.
These two players are threats. Tavernier is a big game player. We all know about the Argentinian. He’s having a cracking season and will get chances on Thursday night. Combining the two selections provides a strong bet builder selection.
- Benfica vs Rangers Tip 3: Angel Di Maria Over 0.5 Shots On Target & James Tavernier Over 0.5 Shots (TRACKED BET)
- Best Odds: 1.80
- Bookmaker: bet365
- Stake: 4/10
Benfica vs Rangers Prediction odds via bet365 as at 09:00, March 4th, 2024. Odds may now differ.
Benfica vs Rangers Team News and Possible Lineups: Hosts Full Strength, Rangers Far From That
Benfica’s Juan Bernat is the only current injury doubt. The Spaniard is on loan from PSG but hasn’t featured since late October.
The hosts will be at full strength. They’ll play their usual 4-2-3-1. It’s a well-rounded side who are offensive and creates plenty of chances. There’s a mix of young and old. Some have limited experience, while others have played at the very top.
Rangers’ injury concerns are far worse. Sima and Danilo are a big miss in the attack. The Brazilian is hopeful to make it back in time for the second leg. Cantwell suffered a hamstring injury just a couple of weeks ago.
Matondo and Cortes are both out for a few weeks.
Benfica possible starting lineup:Trubin; Bah, Silva, Otamendi, Aursnes, Kokcu, Neves, Di Maria, Mario, Neres, Silva
Rangers possible starting lineup:Butland; Tavernier, Goldson, Souttar, Barisic, Lundstram, Raskin, Diomande, Lawrence, McCausland; Dessers
OPTA Match Stats: Goals On The Agenda Once Again?
- These sides played out a 3-3 draw here when they met in November 2020.
- This is the third European meeting between Benfica and Rangers – the first two were both draws in the 2020-21 UEFA Europa League group stage (3-3 in Portugal, 2-2 in Scotland).
- Rangers have scored in 27 consecutive matches in all competitions.
- Benfica have never lost a home match in the UEFA Europa League (P27 W21 D6), the most any side has played at home without losing in the competition. They have only failed to score once on home soil, in a 0-0 draw with Galatasaray in February 2019.
- Angel Di Maria scored both goals for Benfica in the previous round, each coming from the penalty spot.
- Ángel Di María has been involved in nine goals in seven home UEFA Europa League appearances for Benfica (4 goals, 5 assists), netting a brace against Toulouse in this season’s play-off round. In doing so, he became the oldest Benfica player to score a brace in a major European match (36 years, 1 day old).
- Benfica have lost two games on the bounce for the first time since 11th April 2023.
Benfica Fixtures: Rangers and Sporting The Standouts
- Vs Estoril (H)
- Vs Rangers (A) Europa League
- Vs Casa Pia (A)
- Vs Chaves (H)
- Vs Sporting (H) Taca De Portugal
Rangers Fixtures: Celtic Clash Is HUGE
- Vs Hibernian (A) Scottish Cup
- Vs Benfica (H) Europa League
- Vs Dundee (A)
- Vs Hibernian (H)
- Vs Celtic (H)
Safer Gambling
At bettingexpert, we always take a safe approach to gambling. We’ll never bet more than we can afford or chase losses. For more advice, head to our Safer Gambling hub.
