Rangers vs Benfica 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 Portuguese side heads to Scotland in the Round of 16 in the Europa League.

The opening leg was an entertaining affair. Rangers proved a tricky test for the Portuguese side. It’s all to play for at Ibrox. We expect another entertaining night in Scotland. The home fans will be fiery and of huge importance to the players. Benfica are slight favourites. Can they sneak their way through? Our Rangers vs Benfica prediction is for the match to end 2-2.

• Rangers vs Benfica Tip 1: Rangers To Qualify 
• Rangers vs Benfica Tip 2: Over 2.75 Goals
• Rangers vs Benfica Tip 3: Tavernier & Di Maria To Score Or Assist

Rangers vs Benfica Prediction 1: The Ibrox Factor

Europe, Europa League, Thursday, March 14th, 17:30 (UK)

The clash in Lisbon was an entertaining affair. The tie is all to play for at Ibrox. I expect another thrilling encounter. Philippe Clement’s side will be full of confidence. The home fans act as a 12th man on these big European nights.

Benfica dominated the encounter last week. Roger Schmidt will know that his side are in for a real battle on Thursday night. Ibrox is not a joyful venue to play your football. The Portuguese outfit will feel hard done by as to not bringing a lead with them.

This clash is tough to call. Benfica are slight favourites. Schmidt’s men are 2.40 to win and 1.80 to qualify, and Rangers are 2.75 and 1.95, respectively. Backing against the hosts with this match at Ibrox is tough. They beat Real Betis and Sparta Prague earlier this season. Dutch side PSV played here in August. The contest ended 2-2.

Benfica are the better side. They have better players. Football isn’t always about the quality of the individual. Rangers are a team who fight for one another. With Rangers fans in attendance, expect a fiery atmosphere.

Rangers have lost just three times here in 16 months. I fancy their chances against a Benfica team who could let the hostile atmosphere get to them. Sporting and Porto have beaten Benfica in their previous two away days. Rangers have a great chance to squeeze through.

• Rangers v Benfica Prediction 1: Rangers To Qualify (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.95
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 4/10

Rangers vs Benfica Prediction 2: Yet Another Thriller

It appeals to get with the goals once again. The clash in Portugal ended 2-2 with 3.70xG on the night. Plenty of attacking talent will be on show between the two sides.

Benfica’s matches across the past few weeks have been full of goals. An impressive 16 of their previous 19 encounters have witnessed three or more goals. They rested some key players over the weekend. Di Maria and Rafa Silva remained on the bench. Joao Neves played for just 10 minutes.

The hosts are usually involved in some entertaining matches. Rangers have seen three or more goals in 14 of their previous 20 matches across all competitions. Clement’s men have scored in every game here since September 3rd.

I doubt either side keeps a clean sheet. The Portuguese side have plenty of attacking threat. Benfica’s previous away day in Europe against Toulouse was 0-0 despite 3.71xG on the night.

The game may start at a timid pace. Neither side will want to give away anything cheap. I do expect the offences to come out on top. The opening goal will swing this tie wide open, and it has the potential to become a shootout.

Whether we see three or more goals in this clash, we receive a profit. This selection has won in 30/39 combined matches between these two in recent weeks. Of course, this game has a very different meaning. I like the look of goals once again.

• Rangers vs Benfica Prediction 2: Over 2.75 Goals (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.85
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 4/10

Rangers vs Benfica Prediction 3: Standout Stars

James Tavernier and Angel Di Maria are arguably the best players for Rangers and Benfica, respectively. These two certainly have a chance of making a mark in this encounter. They’re superb individuals, and both pose a massive offensive threat.

The Englishman is a Rangers legend. Tav is having another ridiculous season for the Scottish giants. Only Lawrence Shankland has scored more goals in the league than James. Impressive for a right-back. Tav has eight assists to his name in the top flight. He’s yet to get going in this competition. There’s no better time than now.

Benfica’s Argentinian still has so much class. The World Cup winner is 36 now but is still a quality player. ADM has a combined 14 goals and assists in 21 matches in Liga Portugal. Angel will be on penalty duties for Benfica. Di Maria scored two from the spot against Toulouse in February and again in the opening leg.

James Tavernier takes a fair share of corners and free kicks for his side. The skipper will fancy himself from a dead-ball situation. The 32-year-old  is also on penalties for Rangers, a bonus for our selection.

These two players will be involved in a large amount of offensive action. I like the angle of attack. The Argentinian whipped in all 14 corners in the opener. Tavernier will have his fair share in this match.

• Rangers vs Benfica Prediction 3: Tavernier & Di Maria To Score Or Assist (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 3.60
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 2/10

Rangers vs Benfica Prediction odds via bet365 as at 09:00, March 11th, 2024. Odds may now differ.

Rangers vs Benfica Team News and Possible Lineups: Rangers With Majority Of Absentees

Benfica have almost everyone available for this encounter. Juan Bernat has been out for a considerable period and remains sidelined.

Roger Schmidt’s men will set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. We expect minimal changes from these visitors.

Rangers are still without several players. Sima, Cortes and Matondo won’t make a return for the clash. Danilo, Dowell and Cantwell are to recover by ‘mid-March’.

I expect Rangers to play a 4-2-3-1 formation. Philippe Clermont has started the exact 11 in two matches on the spin. Consistently may be beneficial, but there’s a potential that the same players appear once again.

Rangers possible starting lineup: Butland; Tavernier, Goldson, Souttar, Yilmaz, Diomande, Lundstram, Sterling, Lawrence, Silva; Dessers

Benfica possible starting lineup: Trubin; Bah, Silva, Otamendi, Aursnes, Neves, Luis, Rafa Silva, Neres, Di Maria; Cabral

Match Stats: Impressive Streaks

• All three of the meetings between Rangers and Benfica in Europe have ended level, while both teams have  scored at least twice in all three fixtures (3-3 and 2-2 in the 2020-21 UEFA Europa League, and 2-2 in the  first leg this season).
• Benfica won their first ever away game in European competition in Scotland back in September 1960  against Heart of Midlothian in the European Cup (2-1), but are winless in five such matches since (D2 L3).
• Benfica won the shot count 24-9 in the first leg.
• After beating Crvena Zvezda 4-2 on aggregate in 2021-22, Rangers are looking to qualify from consecutive ties in the round of 16 in the UEFA Europa League – this after previously failing to do so in any of their first  three ties at this stage of the competition (eliminated in 2010-11, 2019-20 and 2020-21).
• Rangers have scored in 29 consecutive matches.
• When these sides met at this venue in 2020, it ended 2-2.

Rangers Fixtures: All Eyes On Old Firm Clash

• Vs Dundee (A)
• Vs Hibernian (H)
• Vs Celtic (H)
• Vs Ross County (A)

Benfica Fixtures: Sporting Clashes The Big One

• Vs Casa Pia (A)
• Vs Chaves (H)
• Vs Sporting (H) Taca De Portugal
• Vs Sporting (A)
• Vs Moreirense (H)

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