Rangers FC vs Benfica Preview, Prediction and Betting Tips

Rangers FC vs Benfica

Rangers FC and Benfica will have their fourth match-up, the fourth opportunity as well, to conclude the game with a victory on one side. All of the three meetings between both clubs ended in a draw. Apart from the 2-2 result on their reversed fixture, another series of levelled score lines happened in the group stage of 2020 which ended 3-3 and 2-2 respectively. 

Rangers are the only Scottish side Benfica yet to beat, vice versa. The Scottish team that Benfica won against the most is Celtic, which are Rangers’ archrival, with four times. Fun fact, Benfica’s most heated rival Porto, are also the Portuguese side that Rangers have beaten the most, three times. 

Rangers are also on a mission to secure the quarter-final two seasons in a row for the first time. The Gers have failed to do so on three occasions which came in 2010/11, 2019/20, and 2020/21. Benfica have only come back from the death after losing the first leg of European knockouts, beating Ajax 1-0 away after drawing 2-2 in the 2021/22 season of the Champions League.

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Rangers FC vs Benfica Team News and Predicted Lineups

Rangers FC

The Light Blue are dealing with multiple fitness issues, mostly due to injury. Abdallah Sima and the former Norwich star Todd Cantwell are suffering from hamstring problems. Meanwhile, Oscar Cortes and Rabbi Matondo will still have a medical assessment on their muscle problems. 

No suspension for The Gers prior to the second leg. Philippe Clement would have to be careful with his team selection as Rangers will have an away trip to Dundee two days after. There would be minor substitutions to their winning squad since the latest outing against Hibernian.  

Predicted XI: Jack Butland, Rıdvan Yılmaz, John Souttar, Connor Goldson, James Tavernier, John Lundstram, Mohamed Diomande, Fábio Silva, Tom Lawrence, Dujon Sterling, Cyriel Dessers.

Benfica

Benfica will be without Juan Bernat who is undergoing medical treatment due to his pelvic bone problem. The Valencia academy graduate is reported to have missed 35 games for As Aguias to fix the issue. Apart from that, there are not any injuries or indiscipline cases for the two-time champions.

With the current situation regarding his squad, Roger Schmidt would likely put the same list for the starting at Ibrox. The likes of Rafa Silva and Angel Di Maria after being rested in their latest away win over Estoril Praia. 

Predicted XI: Anatoliy Trubin, Alexander Bah, António Silva, Nicolas Otamendi, Fredrik Aursnes, João Neves, Florentino Luís, David Neres, Rafa Silva, Angel Di Maria, Arthur Cabral. 

Rangers FC vs Benfica Head-To-Head

All of the three previous meetings between two clubs ended in a draw. 

Last games, head-to-head

• Benfica 2-2 Rangers FC
• Rangers FC 2-2 Benfica
• Benfica 3-3 Rangers FC

Both teams are the only side from their respective countries that have not been beaten. Rangers and Benfica also come with a positive record, winning against their opponents in the league.  

Rangers FC vs Benfica Prediction

Owing to the tight results in the previous three meetings, there is a chance that the match could go into penalties. Rangers of course have the advantage of playing at home but again, Benfica have been there and did not lose.  

Both teams are the tournament’s elite. Rangers reached the final twice (losing both) in 2008 and 2012. On the other hand, Benfica have won it a long time ago, consecutively in 1961 and 1962 

Predicted Score: Rangers FC 1-1 Benfica

Rangers FC vs Benfica Betting Tips

Betting Tips

• Both teams will play draw in normal time
• Both teams to score: yes
• Goals over 2.5: no

Odds

• Rangers FC: 2.28
• Draw: 3.81
• Benfica: 2.49
• Source: Oddspedia

Rangers FC vs Benfica and Telecast

• Date: Friday, 15 March at 08:00 PM (GMT)
• India: JioTV
• UK: TNT Sports 4
• US: ViX, Paramount +
• Spain: Movistar+

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