Benfica – Rangers : Preview & Prediction
Benfica suffered a humiliating 5-0 loss to Porto last Sunday, and Roger Schmidt’s men are now on a run of two defeats in a row after an unbeaten run of eight games (G6, E2). That run included a 2-1 aggregate win over Toulouse in last season’s UEFA Europa League (UEL) knockout round, and they return to European action in this Round of 16 clash against Rangers, having also faced the Scottish side in the group stage of the competition in the 2020/21 campaign, featuring two high-scoring draws (3-3, 2-2).
These matches are part of Benfica’s total of draws against Scottish opponents, against whom they have a dominant record (G6, E3, P3). In that span, the Portuguese club has an almost perfect home record (G5, E1), although the “Eagles” should avoid getting overconfident, as their 2-1 home win over Toulouse in the first leg of the previous round represents their only win in their last five European home appearances (E1, P3).
Rangers began 2024 on an impressive ten-game winning streak in competitive matches, until suffering a shock 2-1 home loss to Motherwell last weekend. That result dealt a blow to their league title hopes, although a UEL campaign as group leaders has raised expectations of European success and a strong record against Portuguese opposition could add to those feelings (G11, E7, P4).
Two of those clashes against Portuguese sides came on the road to the 2021/22 UEL final, when Rangers eliminated Braga in the quarterfinals. That season was the only time Rangers got past a UEL Round of 16 tie (G1, P3), and having failed to win in eight of their last nine away games in European competitions (G1, E1, P7), it looks difficult for them to get a positive result in this match.
Players to watch: Veteran Angel Di Maria converted two penalties in Benfica’s last European tie, a performance that is part of a four-goal streak for the club after the break. Abdallah Sima could feature for Rangers, having scored his team’s first goal on four occasions, including three that opened the scoring in European action this season.
Key stat: Rangers’ last eight official matches have seen goals in both halves.
Benfica – Rangers : Betting Tips
Benfica – Win Odds: 1.55
