Rangers vs Benfica prediction, odds and betting tips

Rangers and Benfica will lock horns with a place in the quarter-finals of the Europa League up for grabs.

Find the latest match odds for Rangers vs Benfica. All odds are provided by our best-reviewed football betting sites. Odds are subject to change.

• Rangers - 9/5 with Sky Bet
• Draw - 13/5 with Sky Bet

• Rangers to advance to the next round - 4/5 with BetMGM
• both teams to score and over 2.5 goals - 10/11 with bet365
• James Tavernier as an anytime goalscorer - 10/3 with BoyleSports

Rangers and Benfica could not be separated in the first leg of this Europa League last-16 tie.

Tom Lawrence silenced the crowd at the Estadio da Luz early on, but Benfica levelled in first-half stoppage time through an Angel Di Maria penalty.

There was still time for more drama in the opening period, however, as Dujon Sterling restored Rangers’ lead just before the whistle brought the half to a close.

The Scottish side could not quite hold on for the victory, with Connor Goldson putting through his own net in the 67th minute. 

Although Rangers led twice, a 2-2 draw was probably a better result for them than it was for Benfica, who have never lost a home game since the UEFA Cup became the Europa League.

“I am really proud of my team,” said Rangers boss Philippe Clement. “They showed character, solidarity and personality. We scored two really good goals with good football. I am someone who is demanding towards them, but I cannot ask more from them. They gave it their all.”

Benfica must now triumph at Ibrox one way or another (after 90 or 120 minutes, or a penalty shoot-out) if they are to progress to the last eight.

Yet Rangers should not take anything for granted. Benfica are an excellent side on their day. They dominated both possession and the shot count last week and are capable of doing the same on Thursday.

Clement’s charges warmed up for the second leg with a 2-0 victory over Hibernian in the Scottish Cup at the weekend. Rangers have now won 11 of their last 13 outings in all competitions.

Needless to say, Hibernian are not in the same league as Benfica. This one is tough to call - and that is why it will be well worth watching.

There was nothing between these sides in the first leg, but there must be a victor on Thursday night.

Gary Neville called it “the best atmosphere I’ve seen in my life”. Didier Drogba described it as “absolutely magical”. Victor Valdes said it was “the most intimidating stadium I have played in”.

The respective Manchester United, Chelsea and Barcelona legends played in their fair share of iconic stadiums. But all three - and many of their peers - felt Ibrox was something special.

It is hard to argue with that. Anyone who has experienced the ground on a European night in particular will concur.

Thursday’s encounter is not just a footballing test for Benfica; it is one of mentality too. The Portuguese side must show they can deal with the atmosphere and let their football do the talking. That is easier said than done.

Rangers have a fantastic home record in this competition. In their last 35 Europa League games at Ibrox, they have lost just three times. 

Benfica are strong opposition, though, and it is not too hard to imagine this match going to extra time.

But with the raucous home crowd behind them, Rangers should ultimately find a way through.

There were four goals in the first leg and there could have been more. Benfica had 24 shots in total. Rangers had nine, but more than half of those were on target.

We expect attacks to get the better of defences once more. That is in part because of the nature of the tie.

A goal for either side would put them 3-2 up on aggregate and compel their opponent to take more risks in search of a leveller. Unlike in the first leg, there are no second chances after Thursday.

Clement has made Rangers much more effective going forward than they were under Michael Beale, his predecessor. He is getting more out of individual players and has also improved the collective structure, both with and without the ball.

Benfica also pack a punch in attack, so we like the chances of this bet paying off just like it did in Lisbon.

James Tavernier is not your usual right-back. The Rangers captain has already scored 21 goals in all competitions this season, including 14 in the Scottish Premiership. None of his team-mates can better either tally. 

Some of Tavernier’s goals are penalties - but not all of them. Indeed, the full-back provides a threat from open play too. He also takes a mean free-kick.

In other words, there are several potential paths to a Tavernier goal. Yet because of his position, he is often overpriced in the goalscorer markets. You cannot usually find odds of 10/3 on a team’s top scorer finding the back of the net.

Tavernier did miss a spot-kick at the weekend, but there is little chance of him being taken off penalties. His overall record from 12 yards speaks for itself.

And although he is technically a defender, Tavernier usually takes up advanced positions when Rangers have the ball.

• Location: Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow, Scotland.
• Date and time: Thursday 14 March 2024, 5.45pm.
• How to watch: TNT Sports 4.

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