Rangers welcome Benfica to Ibrox in a blockbuster top of Group D clash in the group stage of 2020-21 UEFA Europa League.
Victory or a draw would keep Rangers top whilst a win would see Benfica move to the summit of Group D and put the Gers second with two matches left in this group.
Team News
Ryan Jack is a doubt for Rangers after suffering a knock during Sunday’s Scottish Premiership win over Aberdeen.
Bongani Zungu (knee) and Nikola Katic remains absent whilst Jermain Defoe, Jordan Jones and George Edmundson are not part of Gers’ Europa squad.
Benfica will be without Nicolas Otamendi following his red card in the last meeting between these two teams three weeks ago.
Julian Weigl and Darwin Nunez are ruled out through Coronavirus whilst Jean-Clair Todibo, Andre Almeida, Nuno Tavares and Pedrinho are all absent through injury.
Stat Attack
- Rangers are unbeaten in their only previous meeting against Benfica, drawing 3-3 in Lisbon earlier in November.
- Benfica have won just one of five previous away trips to Scottish opposition and are winless in their last four visits (W1, D1, L3).
- All three of Rangers’ goals in two home Europa League matches this season have come in the second half.
Prediction
After having gone 3-1 up in Lisbon a few weeks ago after coming from behind only to blow it with two late conceded goals, Rangers will be aware that they need to be on their defensive guard against this attacking Benfica team who will again pose serious questions of their back four.
Steven Gerrard’s Gers however were impressive when they got forward despite wasting some of their chances, so I am expecting more of the same here but given Benfica’s recent woes in Scotland, I am going for a narrow home win.
Prediction: Rangers 2-1 Benfica
Result: Rangers 2-2 Benfica
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