Benfica - Rangers predictions and free betting tips [07/03/2024]

On Thursday, 7 March, as a part of the first 1/8 finals match of the Europa League, "Benfica" will host "Rangers" at their home ground. The "Eagles" have been having a tough couple of weeks, managing to win only once in their last four matches, while the Scots also suffered a hiccup last weekend.

Predicted Line-ups

"Benfica": Trubin; Aursnes, A. Silva, Otamendi, Morato; Neves, Luis; Di Maria, R. Silva; Mario; Cabral.
"Rangers": Butland; Tavernier, Goldson, Souttar, Barisic; Lundstram, Raskin; Wright, Diomande, Lawrence; Dessers.

Stadium

The match will take place in Lisbon at the Estadio da Luz.

"Benfica"

"Benfica" managed to secure their spot in the 1/8 finals of the Europa League with some difficulty - "Toulouse" put up a worthy resistance in the previous round. Firstly, the Portuguese managed to come out on top in Lisbon in the first encounter (2:1) thanks solely to two successfully executed penalties by Angel Di Maria, and in the return match, only the lack of initiative from the "violets'" attackers saved the "Eagles" from elimination (0:0).

Nonetheless, Roger Schmidt's team continues its European adventure, despite only managing a 3rd place finish in their Champions League group, falling behind "Real Sociedad" and "Inter" from Milan, yet, getting ahead of "Salzburg". In the national league, the Red-Whites lost the lead to "Sporting" due to a crushing defeat they suffered from "Porto" the previous weekend (5:0). Nicolas Otamendi was sent off for two yellow cards, while Pepe, Wendell and Danny Namaso dealt the final blows to the capital's grands. 

"Rangers"

"Rangers", in turn, avoided the 1/16 final ordeal by taking the 1st place in their group in December, outperforming Prague's "Sparta", "Betis", and "Aris Limassol". As a result, the white-and-blues were able to focus all their attention on the league where they currently top the table with a slim 2-point lead over their arch-rivals - "Celtic". In great form, Philippe Clement's trainees won their last 11 matches in all competitions, steamrolling through anyone in their path until the previous weekend, before falling to "Motherwell" 1:2.

Team captain James Tavernier scored a penalty on minute 60, replying to Theo Blair's first-half goal. However, the "Steelworkers" did not give in: Dan Casey scored the winning goal on the 75th minute, leaving the Ibrox stands in shock. Interesting fact: "Rangers" only lost one of their seven previous European cup encounters in Portugal. 

Head-to-head matches

These teams faced each other in the group stage of the Europa League back in 2020, but no superior side could be determined (draws 3:3 and 2:2).

Match Prediction: "Benfica" vs "Rangers"

"Benfica" is not coming into the game in the best of form, having suffered a real humiliation in the match against "Porto" last weekend. The Scots also stumbled in their league, however they had breezed through their group matches and had a winning streak of ten matches before their stumble against "Motherwell". It seems that the bookmaker slightly undervalues the team from Glasgow, which is why my bet is guest handicap +1.5.

Total Score Forecast

I expect a high-scoring match: "Benfica" will besiege the Scots' goal from the opening minutes, with the guests effectively using counter-attacks.

Corner Prediction

Both teams adhere to an attacking play style and will not stay on the defensive. My bet is confidently on the total corners over 9.5.

Yellow Card Prediction

It is vitally important for "Rangers" not to lose in Lisbon, to have chances in the return match - meaning the guests will be decelerating the opponent's attacks with fouls (win by yellow cards).

Score Prediction

I'll place my bet on an exact score of 2:2.