Benfica vs Rangers Prediction & Betting Tips

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.

Benfica Team News

Roger Schmidt only has one injury to manage this week, with Juan Bernat out until late April.

Rangers Team News

Philippe Clement will be without Danilo and Kemar Roofe this week, both being out since December.

In their last five games in all competitions, Benfica have two wins, one draw and two losses.

A brace from David Neres and goals from Otamendi, Tiago Gouveia and Rafa Silva gave Benfica the 5 - 0 lead over Vizela at halftime. Samuel Essende did get Vizela on the scoresheet, but a late goal from Marcos Leonardo secured the 6 - 1 win for Benfica.

In the second leg of the Europa League Round of 32, Benfica travelled to France to take on Toulouse. Benfica already had a 2 - 1 aggregate lead, and despite only having one shot on target and settling for a 0 - 0 draw, the Portuguese side advanced.

Back in Liga Portugal, Benfica hosted Portimonense. After a goalless first half, Silva grabbed a brace and was joined on the scoresheet by Neres and Angel Di Maria in a 4 - 0 win.

The first leg of the Taca de Portugal Semi-Final was a clash between Sporting and Benfica. Sporting took an early lead through Pedro Goncalves in the ninth minute and Viktor Gyokeres doubled their lead early in the second half. Fredrik Aursnes did get Benfica on the scoresheet, but Sporting held on for the 2 - 1 win.

The last time out for Benfica was a big game against Porto on Sunday. A brace from Galeno and goals from Wendell, Pepe and Danny Namaso gave Porto the 5 - 0 win over ten-man Benfica, who had Otamendi sent off with 30 minutes to go.

In their last five games in all competitions, Rangers have four wins and one loss.

Cyriel Dessers gave Rangers the early lead and after Simon Murray equalised for Ross County, his second goal regained the lead for Rangers before halftime. John Souttar grabbed a late goal to secure the 3 - 1 win for Rangers.

A goal from Mohamed Diomande and a brace of late penalties from Tavernier gave Rangers the 3 - 0 win over St Johnstone who had zero shots on target.

Diomande opened the scoring early for Rangers in the second minute and Oscar Cortes and Dessers both scored to give Rangers the 3 - 0 lead at halftime. Dessers completed his brace early in the second half and Fabio Silva secured the 5 - 0 win over Hearts for Rangers.

A penalty from Daniel Armstrong gave Kilmarnock the lead just after the ten-minute mark. Kilmarnock held onto this lead into halftime, but goals from Tavernier and Tom Lawrence gave Rangers the 2 - 1 comeback win.

Rangers were handed a shock loss against Motherwell. Theo Blair opened the scoring early for Motherwell in the ninth minute but a penalty from Tavernier equalised for Rangers in the 60th minute. However, a late goal from Dan Casey gave Motherwell the 2 - 1 win.

Despite both having good form in their domestic leagues, Benfica are likely to edge out Rangers in the first leg. However, both teams are likely to be in on the scoresheet. Benfica 2-1 Rangers

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Benfica vs Rangers will be broadcasted on TNT Sports in the U.K. and can be followed on the radio via BBC Five Live or TalkSport.

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