Match Previews

country flag Europa League Round Grp D (4)
Rangers vs. SL Benfica
Thu 26 November 2020 20:00
Referee
Radu Petrescu (Romania)
Weather at KO
weather icon Overcast  6oC | Precip: 6% (0 mm) | Wind 2.2 m/s
Travel Info
3 hours plane
Distance
1,754 KM
Venue
No Fans

Rangers

Last updated: Fri 27 November 2020 09:33
In Brief

Rangers comfortably top in Scotland. Likely to focus on this game. Katic and Zungu out. Jack a doubt.

Looking Back

Rangers’ dominant domestic form continued as they hammered Aberdeen to extend their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership to 11 points. Had four different scorers.

Fielded Joe Aribo and Scott Arfield in the midfield, while Kemar Roofe was given an opportunity to feature in the front three.

Have yet to lose a single game this season, although the 3-3 draw they had with Benfica last time out was their greatest disappointment as they led 3-1 against 10 men.

Looking Ahead

No fans allowed.

While manager Steven Gerrard is bound to make changes for this match, he will likely deploy a full-strength squad given that their weekend match is against third-tier Falkirk.

Ianis Hagi regularly starts the European games and should be drafted in, while Glen Kamara and Steven Davis should also start.

George Edmundson and Jordan Jones available after domestic ban but have not travelled.

Nikola Katic is the chief injury issue. Bongani Zungu missing for 10 days while Ryan Jack a serious worry.

Points of Interest

Gerrard has only lost one home European match in charge of Rangers. He has overseen 18.

SL Benfica

Last updated: Fri 27 November 2020 09:33
In Brief

Coming from two consecutive defeats in Primeira Liga. Play an important match in Glasgow. Almeida out for long. Todibo, Pedrinho and Nuno Tavares also out. Samaris ineligible. Taarabt, Weigl and Darwin with Covid. Otamendi suspended.

Looking Back

After a perfect start of the season with five wins in the first five in Primeira Liga and two wins out of two in Europe, Aguias had suddenly collapsed losing the last two in Liga, 3-0 with Boavista and 2-3 with Braga.

A lot has had to do with the problems in defense after the departure of Ruben Dias and the injuries of Andrè Almeida and Alex Grimaldo.

However they lead Europa League's Group D alongside Rangers, against whom they drew 3-3 in Lisbon.

After the international break Encarnados played the 3rd round of Taça de Portugal defeating 0-1 Paredes.

Looking Ahead

On Thursday Benfica play in Glasgow to decide who will lead Group D.

Defender Andre Almeida sustained the break of the knee cruciate ligaments...will miss for long.

Midfielder Pedrinho didn't recover from a foot fracture. Other midfielder Andreas Samaris is out of the European list. Todibo is again ruled out due to a tendinopathy. Nuno Tavares sustained a muscle otre and is also missing.

Adel Taarabt, Julian Weigl and Darwin Nuñez were tested positive for Covid-19.

Nicolas Otamendi, sent-off last round, will serve one round of ban.

Given the absences, coach Jesus called-up three players of the B team: João Ferreira, Paulo Bernardo and Tiago Araújo.

Points of Interest

Benfica never played away with Rangers, while they already played 4 times in Glasgow against Celtic, lost 3 times (twice in Champions League and once in European Cup) and drew once o-0 again in Champions League.

Manager Comments

Jorge Jesus: "Rangers last year played against SC Braga and FC Porto, they have already shown their value, the coach is the same, the players are practically the same, they are aggressive and not easy to stop. We are prepared defensively, but also prepared to be a strong team offensively".

Suspended
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Unavailable
Doubtful (chance of availability) Rested
Suspended Unavailable
Doubtful (chance of availability)
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Rested
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Probable Starting 11
Probable Bench
Probable Starting 11
Probable Bench

SL Benfica

Last updated: Fri 27 November 2020 09:33
In Brief

Coming from two consecutive defeats in Primeira Liga. Play an important match in Glasgow. Almeida out for long. Todibo, Pedrinho and Nuno Tavares also out. Samaris ineligible. Taarabt, Weigl and Darwin with Covid. Otamendi suspended.

Looking Back

After a perfect start of the season with five wins in the first five in Primeira Liga and two wins out of two in Europe, Aguias had suddenly collapsed losing the last two in Liga, 3-0 with Boavista and 2-3 with Braga.

A lot has had to do with the problems in defense after the departure of Ruben Dias and the injuries of Andrè Almeida and Alex Grimaldo.

However they lead Europa League's Group D alongside Rangers, against whom they drew 3-3 in Lisbon.

After the international break Encarnados played the 3rd round of Taça de Portugal defeating 0-1 Paredes.

Looking Ahead

On Thursday Benfica play in Glasgow to decide who will lead Group D.

Defender Andre Almeida sustained the break of the knee cruciate ligaments...will miss for long.

Midfielder Pedrinho didn't recover from a foot fracture. Other midfielder Andreas Samaris is out of the European list. Todibo is again ruled out due to a tendinopathy. Nuno Tavares sustained a muscle otre and is also missing.

Adel Taarabt, Julian Weigl and Darwin Nuñez were tested positive for Covid-19.

Nicolas Otamendi, sent-off last round, will serve one round of ban.

Given the absences, coach Jesus called-up three players of the B team: João Ferreira, Paulo Bernardo and Tiago Araújo.

Points of Interest

Benfica never played away with Rangers, while they already played 4 times in Glasgow against Celtic, lost 3 times (twice in Champions League and once in European Cup) and drew once o-0 again in Champions League.

Manager Comments

Jorge Jesus: "Rangers last year played against SC Braga and FC Porto, they have already shown their value, the coach is the same, the players are practically the same, they are aggressive and not easy to stop. We are prepared defensively, but also prepared to be a strong team offensively".

Suspended Unavailable
Doubtful (chance of availability)
  • ---
Rested
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Probable Starting 11
Probable Bench

Key

Key players
Regular players
Support players
75% - Chance of availability
Artificial Pitch
Universal Player Grid
Squad Confirmed
Played in Cup fixture
New Information

Team Strength*

Excellent
Good
Satisfactory
Just Adequate
Poor
*Based on Available Players
Game Score
Round Grp D (3)
SL Benfica - Rangers 3 - 3
Round Grp D (4)
Rangers - SL Benfica 2 - 2
Round Grp J (4)
Tottenham Hotspur - Ludogorets 4 - 0
Round Grp G (5)
Zorya Luhansk - Leicester City 1 - 0
Round Grp D (5)
Rangers - Standard Liege 3 - 2
Round Grp F (6)
Napoli - Real Sociedad 1 - 1
Round Grp H (6)
Celtic - Lille OSC 3 - 2
Round 1/2 Final (2)
Arsenal - Villarreal 0 - 0