On Thursday night, Rangers and Benfica meet at Ibrox in Group D of the Europa League, as the two teams compete for the top spot in the group.
Rangers are currently second place in the group only behind the visitors on goal difference after the reverse fixture finished 3-3 in the Portuguese capital. Steven Gerrard’s team head into this clash in good form, as they are unbeaten in all competitions in 20 matches this season.
In fact, their last defeat came in the knockout stages of this competition last season, as the Gers suffered a 1-0 defeat against Bayer Leverkusen.
Since the defeat against Bayer, Rangers have a good record in the Europa League. The SPL leaders are unbeaten in six games in the competition, with the draw in the reverse fixture ending a five-game winning run in the competition.
One of the biggest reasons for Rangers recent good European form has been their potency, as they have scored at least two goals in five of their last six matches.
Unlike the home side, Benfica’s recent form has been highly inconsistent, as the Eagles have won just one of their previous four competitive games. A 1-0 cup win at Paredes ended a three-game winless run in all competitions. The visitors have struggled in defence of late, as they have conceded at least three goals in three of their last four games in all competitions.
Benfica have a mixed recent record in the Europa League, winning just two of their previous six games in the competition, although they are also unbeaten in four games in European football’s secondary competition.
The Portuguese team have a poor away record in the Europa League, losing three of their previous four games on their travels.
Três semanas depois do empate no Estádio da Luz contamos-te o que mudou, e o que podes esperar no #RFCSLB de quinta-feira.#UEL #DeTodosUm— SL Benfica (@SLBenfica) November 25, 2020
Três semanas depois do empate no Estádio da Luz contamos-te o que mudou, e o que podes esperar no #RFCSLB de quinta-feira.#UEL #DeTodosUm
Forebet predicts that these two teams will cancel each other out, with the game finishing in another high-scoring draw.