Benfica vs Rangers Preview, Prediction and Betting Tips

Benfica vs Rangers Preview

Benfica are set to meet Rangers for the third time in European history. The two sides met twice in the 2020/21 season when they were drawn in the same UEFA Europa League groups.

The previous meetings ended in draws, and they were high-scoring games. The two sides finished 3-3 in the match at Benfica, while the Scotland edition saw them finish 2-2 at full-time. 

Also Read: All you need to know of Europa League Round 16 draw including fixtures, teams, dates

Philippe Clement, the Rangers manager believes his side are the underdogs going into the game as they are up against a side that are on another level. He claimed that they were impressive when they impressive against Club Brugge when he went to scout them and said:

“I think it will be the first game since I have been here that we have been underdogs in a game. That is the reality. I don’t see us as underdogs against Celtic. I see us as two teams at a similar level competing and so that is different to Benfica. I saw them last season against my old team Club Brugge and they were very impressive (won 7-1 on aggregate). But it doesn’t mean that we cannot qualify. We believe in our qualities and with the mentality that is in this group now, we can beat everybody but we have to be at our top form and we also need to have luck in key moments in the game.”

He added:

“Of course European nights are important for the club and the stature of the club but you need to be realistic. You have to look at your budget, what you spent, the value of your squad and compare that. So in that way Benfica are in front of us but there is a really special story developing here and there is a lot of motivation, hunger and desire and with that we can do really amazing things so that is what we are going to try to do in those two games.”

The Scottish side come into the game after a 2-1 loss to Motherwell in the league. They remain on top of the league thanks to Celtics also losing, but will be looking to bounce back with a win over Benfica. 

Meanwhile, Benfica also come into the game after a thrashing at the hands of FC Porto. They have now slipped to the second in the table, and the future of Roger Schmidt is hanging in the balance. 

He wants to put the loss behind him and wants the players to focus on the upcoming clash against Rangers. He said after the loss at the weekend:

“The players have played so many good games, today wasn’t our day, but the players prepared in the best way possible, sometimes football is like that and we have to deal with this situation. We have to show a reaction on Thursday against Rangers.”

Benfica will be confident of getting the win as they have never lost at home in the UEFA Europa League. They have won 21 of their 27 matches at home and the only time they did not score was against Galatasaray in a 0-0 draw back in 2019.

Benfica vs Rangers Team News 

Rangers will be traveling to Portugal with a few players missing from their squad. Danilo, Todd Cantwell, Abdallah Sima, and Ross McCausland are sitting out for sure due to injuries. Rabbi Matondo and Kieran Dowell will be facing late fitness tests to determine if they will be able to make the matchday squad. 

Benfica have a near-fit squad available for the match this week against Rangers. They have just Juan Bernat on the medical table and will be confident of bouncing back with a win. 

Also Read: Europa League Draw – Liverpool to face Sparta Prague in round of 16, AC Milan vs Slavia Praha

Benfica vs Rangers Predicted Lineups

Despite the thrashing at the hands of FC Porto last weekend, Benfica are unlikely to change the starting XI. Roger Schmidt should be going into the game once again with a 4-2-3-1 with Rafa playing right behind the striker. 

Predicted XI: Anatoliy Trubin, Fredrik Aursnes, António Silva, Nicolás Otamendi, Morato, João Neves, João Mário, Ángel Di María, Rafa Silva, Orkun Kökçü, Casper Tengstedt

Rangers also lost their league match last weekend but are unlikely to make any drastic changes to their starting XI. Philippe Clement will be keen on getting more from James Tavernier with a captain’s performance.  

Predicted XI: Jack Butland, James Tavernier, Connor Goldson, John Souttar, Rıdvan Yılmaz, John Lundstram, Nicolas Raskin, Dujon Sterling, Mohammed Diomande, Kemar Roofe, Cyriel Dessers

Benfica vs Rangers Head-to-Head

Benfica should make the most of their home advantage and win the game against the Rangers. The last two meetings ended in a draw, but this time things are very likely to be different with both sides looking to get back to winning ways. 

Rangers 2-2 Benfica

Benfica 3-3 Rangers

Benfica vs Rangers Prediction: 

Prediction: Benfica 3-2 Rangers

Benfica vs Rangers Betting Tips

• Benfica win.
• Both Teams To Score: Yes.
• Over 3.5 Goals: Yes.

Benfica vs Rangers Odds

• Benfica Win: 1.62
• Draw: 4.40
• Rangers Win: 6.00

Benfica vs Rangers Timings & Telecast

• Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica – 7th March – 20:00 GMT
• India: Sony Sports
• United Kingdom: TNT Sports
• US: CBS Sports