Rangers vs Benfica prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2024-03-13 17:45.
[p]After a pulsating 2-2 draw in the first leg in Lisbon last week, Rangers and Benfica do battle once more with a place in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League up for grabs. Gers boss Philippe Clement was happy with his side’s “character, solidarity and personality” in the first leg, and they’ll need to show all those qualities again if they’re to earn a first-ever H2H victory (D3).[/p]
[p]Rangers are a side in form having lost just one of their last 14 outings in all competitions (W12, D1), and will be roared on by the Ibrox crowd who are used to success in this competition having seen their side piece together a nine-match unbeaten run in Europa League home action (W7, D2). They appear well placed to extend that run given they’ve never been beaten on their own turf by Portuguese opposition (W8, D3), yet their record at this stage is far from perfect, progressing just once from four previous last-16 ties.[/p]
[p]That stands in stark contrast to opponents Benfica, who’ve won all of their five appearances at this stage of the Europa League. And while they were left disappointed not to win the home leg last Thursday, it’s not a feeling the Eagles aren’t used to having come from behind to secure draws in all of the prior three H2Hs between these sides![/p]
[p]Roger Schmidt’s men therefore won’t be fazed by a trip to Ibrox, as their aptitude to European travelling has seen Benfica lose just four of their last 22 European away matches (W9, D9). A run of just one win from their last four competitive matches (D1, L2) suggests that record could come under threat, as does a poor record on these shores (W1, D2, L3), with the Eagles’ only previous win away at Scottish opposition coming way back in 1960/61![/p]
[p]Players to watch: Previously of the Benfica youth system, Fábio Silva assisted Rangers’ second goal last week, and backed it up with a strike of his own in the Scottish Cup at the weekend. Rafa Silva is one of two survivors of the Benfica side that faced Rangers in 2020/21, scoring in a memorable 3-3 draw between the sides![/p]
[p]Hot streak: None of Rangers’ last 17 matches have been goalless at half-time.[/p]