The first leg of the Round of 16 of the Europa League sees Benfica host Rangers at the Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica. Both Benfica and Rangers are at the top of their domestic leagues and will be looking to continue their winning form into Europe.
Date: 07/03/2024
Kick off time: 20:00
Location: Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica
Rangers won Group C and therefore advanced straight to the Round of 16, however, Benfica finished third in Group D in the Champions League and had to face Toulouse in the Round of 32.
Benfica currently sit second in Liga Portugal after 24 games. The Eagles have 18 wins, four draws and two losses, leaving them on 58 points, one point behind Sporting at the top of the league.
The Portuguese side have a good record in the Europa League, having competed eight times. Benfica reached consecutive Finals in 2013 and 2014, but lost both, losing 2 - 1 to Chelsea and 4 - 2 on penalties against Sevilla. The last outing saw Benfica exit at the Round of 32 stage, with a 4 - 2 aggregate loss to Arsenal.
Rangers currently sit top of the Scottish Premiership. In 29 games, Rangers have 23 wins, one draw and five losses which leaves them on 70 points, two points above second-place Celtic.
The Scottish side have also made a Final in the Europa League in six appearances in the competition. Rangers made the Final in 2022, but lost 6 - 5 on penalties against Frankfurt. However, other than that Final appearance, Rangers have never made it past the Round of 16.
Benfica and Rangers have only met twice before in their histories, back in the 2020/21 Europa League Group Stage. Neither team has the advantage in the fixture, with both games ending in a draw.
The first draw came on matchday three, a 3 - 3 draw, with Benfica playing with ten men from the 19-minute mark, Nicolas Otamendi sent off early on for the Portuguese side. The other game ended in a 2 - 2 draw, with a late comeback from Benfica at the Ibrox.
Primeira Liga 
Scottish Premiership - 1st Phase 
