Rangers vs Benfica tips and predictions: Goals, goals and more goals at Ibrox

Rangers and Benfica played out a breathless, high-scoring draw for the third time in as many meetings when they clashed in Portugal last week.

Now they’ll take to the Ibrox pitch qualification in the balance and, hopefully, another barnstorming contest.

The Scottish league leaders remain top of the domestic pile by the skin of their teeth despite recent slip-ups and this will be another close affair.

The Gers are unbeaten in nine home Europa League matches having troubled the likes of Borussia Dortmund (2-2) and RB Leipzig (3-1) and this is an equally huge test.

There have been over 2.5 goals in five of Ranger’s last seven home European matches and both teams have scored in five of those contests.

Benfica’s trip to Toulouse was a rather drab affair but there had been over 3.5 goals in each of their previous four Europa League away games.

Those matches took place way back in 2021 but the Portuguese side have been in free-scoring form in the past 12 months, scoring three against Inter Milan and RB Salzburg.

At least one side has scored two or more goals in nine of Benfica’s previous 12 away games in Europe and it seems likely they’ll maintain that trend here.

These teams are well matched and their styles of football just tend to make for an entertaining goal, so we’ll back over 3.5 goals once again.

In addition to that, we’re going to bet on the Scottish side extending their unbeaten record at home.

Benfica are winless in four away from home across all competitions so they’re vulnerable right now and Porto put five past them earlier this month.

 

Suggested bets

Over 2.5 & both teams to score

Rangers to win 

Over 3.5 goals