After coming from behind to record a thrilling 3-2 first leg victory last Thursday, Rangers visit Braga at the Braga Municipal Stadium as they look to reach the Last 16.
Braga however know that even a slender victory would put them through on away goals, so Rangers need to realistically draw or win if they’re to progress beyond this stage.
Team news
Braga has no fresh injury concerns to report although defender, Nuno Sequeria is a doubt after being subbed midway through the first half on Sunday against Setubal.
Rangers has Borna Barisic available after recovering from a back injury which had sidelined him in recent games.
Top scorer, Alfredo Morelos is suspended so is set to be replaced up front by Florian Kamberi, whilst Ryan Jack is available after serving an one match ban in the first leg.
Jon Flanagan, Matt Polster, Jordan Jones and Brandon Barker have all been left behind ahead of Saturday’s Scottish Cup clash away against Hearts, alongside Jermain Defoe (calf) and Filip Helander (foot).
Stat Attack
- This is Rangers’ first trip to Braga in all competitions, having first met for the first time last week at Ibrox.
- Rangers are unbeaten in their last three away trips against Portuguese opposition (W1, D2), since losing 1-0 at Maritimo in First Round of 2004-05 UEFA Cup.
- Braga have kept just one clean sheet in five European home games this season (W2, D3).
Prediction
Rangers showed their fighting spirit to come from two goals down and win at home last week, but this is a difficult away trip without Morelos up front and St Johnstone really exposed Rangers’ defensive deficiencies on Sunday.
I therefore can’t see anything other than a Brage win unless the Gers tighten up the back, which is unlikely given that they have conceded twice in each of their last two outings in the past week.
Braga however aren’t the best at home defensively so I am going for an entertaining draw here, with Rangers scraping through by the skin of their teeth.
Prediction: Braga 2-2 Rangers
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