Benfica vs Rangers Europa League Predictions, Tips and Odds
Benfica and Rangers meet in the first leg of their Europa League round of 16 tie on Thursday at 8 pm (UK time).
The hosts won their last Europa League tie, beating Toulouse 2-1 on aggregate in the knockout round play-offs. After earning a 2-1 victory in the first leg at home, they played out a goalless draw in the return match.
Rangers’ last group stage match saw them run out 3-2 winners over Real Betis at Estadio Benito Villamarín. Abdallah Sima, Cyriel Dessers, and Kemar Roofe all netted in the win. They have five consecutive victories away from home in all competitions.
Benfica vs Rangers predictions
Benfica vs Rangers: Predictions |
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| Bet | Prediction | Bookmaker odds |
| BTTS? | Yes | 4/5 with Bet365 |
| Correct Score | 2-1 | 15/2 with BetGoodwin |
| First Goalscorer | Rafa | 6/1 with Bet365 |
The stats behind our Benfica vs Rangers predictions:
- Both teams have scored in three of Benfica’s last four Europa League home games.
- Rangers lost four of their last six Europa League road games.
- Benfica opened the scoring in their last eight Europa League home matches.
Benfica vs Rangers match tip
Both Teams To Score In 2nd Half @ 9/4 with SkyBet
Rangers have scored in the second half in their last eight games, while Benfica scored in the second half in each of their last 11 home matches.
Benfica vs Rangers odds
Benfica have never lost a home match in the Europa League (21 wins and six draws), 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.
Rangers, meanwhile, have only lost one of their last seven away European trips to Portugal (two wins and four draws), though it was their most recent game there in April 2022, losing 1-0 to Sporting Braga.
Furthermore, this is Rangers’ first knockout match in major European competition since the 2022 Europa League final, which they lost on penalties to Eintracht Frankfurt after a 1-1 draw. They lost three of their four away knockout matches that season, winning the other 4-2 at Borussia Dortmund in the play-off round.
Benfica vs Rangers team news
Benfica team news |
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| In | Out | Doubtful |
| – | Juan Bernat | – |
Benfica will only miss Juan Bernat when they resume their Europa League campaign.
Top Scorer: Rafa (17)
Card Magnet: Nicolás Otamendi (10)
Assist Ace: Rafa (14)
Rangers team news |
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| In | Out | Doubtful |
| – | Oscar Cortes, Todd Cantwell, Rabbi Matondo, Kieran Dowell, Abdallah Sima, Danilo Pereira | – |
No fewer than six players are missing for Rangers this week, including Todd Cantwell and Danilo Pereira.
Top Scorer: James Tavernier (21)
Card Magnet: Connor Goldson (10)
Assist Ace: James Tavernier (10)
Benfica vs Rangers head-to-head
- 26/11/2020 – Rangers 2-2 Benfica – Europa League
- 05/11/2020 – Benfica 3-3 Rangers – Europa League
This is the third European meeting between Benfica and Rangers – the first two were both draws in the 2020-21 Europa League group stage.
