2023-24 UEFA Europa League – Round of 16: Second Leg – Rangers vs Benfica

Rangers meet Benfica at Ibrox in the second leg of their Round of 16 tie in 2023-24 UEFA Europa League. 

With the tie locked at 2-2 on aggregate after the first leg, victory would see Rangers or Benfica advance to the Quarter-Finals but a draw would send the tie to extra-time and potentially penalties.

 

Team News

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Ross McCausland and Dujon Sterling are doubts for Rangers after they suffered knocks in the Scottish Cup win at Hibernian.

Rabbi Matondo (muscle) could again be on the substitutes bench as he continues to build up his match fitness.

Ryan Jack (unspecified), Oscar Cortes, Todd Cantwell (both hamstring), Kieran Dowell (knock), Abdallah Sima (thigh) and Danilo Pereira (knee) remain absent.

Benfica have no fresh injury concerns to report after their Primeira Liga win against Estoril.

Juan Bernat (muscle) remains ruled out.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Rangers host Benfica at Ibrox on Thursday 14 March at 5:45pm GMT, live on TNT Sports 4 in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• All three of Rangers’ Europa League meetings against Benfica have ended in a draw (D3).
• Benfica drew 2-2 in their only previous competitive visit to Rangers in November 2020.
• Both teams have scored seven goals across their three previous draws.
• Rangers have scored first in all five matches at home across UEFA competitions this season (W3, D2).
• Two of Benfica’s four away goals in UEFA competitions this season were scored by Rafael Silva.

 

Prediction

Having escaped the first leg with a draw despite having twice led through clinical attacking play, Rangers are now in the driving seat for a Quarter-Final spot but they must still soak up Benfica’s dangerous attacking play – despite having lost just one home game under Philippe Clement.

Benfica meanwhile haven’t exactly been consistent on the European roads this season with one win in four away matches, yet they do have the quality needed to win this tie especially if can get the opening goal which will be crucial.

Rangers’ home form under Clement however is pretty fearsome considering he only took charge in mid-October, so I expect this to be close even if it’s not a full house at Ibrox due to the early kick-off time but the Gers should just have the edge if can cut out those small defensive mistakes.

Prediction: Rangers 2-1 Benfica

Result: Rangers 0-1 Benfica (Benfica win 3-2 on aggregate)