Benfica vs Rangers Predictions

• Both teams have scored in four of Rangers’ last five Europa League games
• Benfica have won nine of their last ten home games.
• Of Rangers’ seven defeats in all competitions, five have been by a single goal.

Rangers looking for road upset

Rangers have a strong record in Europe in recent years, coming within a penalty shootout of winning the Europa League two seasons ago, but they will have to pull off another big result to get the better of Benfica in Thursday’s round of 16 matchup.

The Portuguese side are a point off top spot domestically and beat Toulouse 2-1 in the Europa League knockout round.

They did perform poorly in the Champions League group stages however, taking just four points from a possible 18.

Rangers suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Motherwell at the weekend but Celtic’s 2-0 loss to Hearts meant that they retained their two-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership table.

Home comforts to be key

The Light Blues are a hard team to predict in Europe, they drew 1-1 with Aris Limassol at home but managed to beat Real Betis 3-2 away.

Benfica’s class may be too much but don’t expect the Gers to be embarrassed, they have only lost twice in ten European matches this term.

Of Rangers’ seven losses in all competitions this season, five have been by a single goal and they may fall to a similar fate here. Back a 2-1 home win.