Benfica will be squaring off against in-form Rangers in the Europa League home game on Thursday evening.
Match Timings: Nov 05, 11:25 PM IST
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Benfica is currently sitting at the top in their Europa League group D. Still, the task against Rangers would not be an easy one after having suffered a 3-0 loss to Boavista in Primeira Liga 2020-21. They slipped to the second spot, just one point behind Sporting Lisbon. Angel Gomes scored through a penalty in the 18th minute after Darwin Nunez’s waste effort, denied by VAR. Alberth Elis scored the second to make it 2-0 in the first half. In the 76th minute, Hamache netted the 3rd goal of the game to give Benfica, the first loss of the season. Jorge Jesus made three substitutes to pull off any comeback, but it didn’t work out.
The story in Europa League is better for the Portugues Giants, picking a win against Standard Liege and Lech Poznan in the first two matches. Benfica and Rangers both are facing each other for the first time in European Competition. They have hosted Scottish club five times, and each time, they ended up as winners.
Meanwhile, Rangers are going strong in 2020-21 as Steven Gerrard's men are the only unbeaten team in Scotland or England's top tier this season. The Glaswegian side is sitting at the second spot, only behind to table-topper with goal difference. The Scottish Outfit is in terrific form, claiming the top position in Scottish Premiership. They are nine points above their rivals, Celtic.
In recent, they went past Kilmarnock in away-fixture, thanks to a James Tavernier's penalty. In Group D outings, the Gers picked up six points from two matches against Standard Liege and Lech Poznan. They overcame the Polish side on Friday with a 68th-minute strike from Morelos.
Possible Lineups & Current Form
Benfica
Benfica
Lineup: Vlachodimos; Goncalves, Otamendi, Vertonghen, Tavares; Pizzi, Pires, Taraabt, Everton; Seferovic, Waldschmidt
Current Form: L W W W W W
Rangers
Lineup: McGregor; Tavernier, Goldson, Helander, Barisic; Arfield, Jack, Kamara; Itten, Morelos, Kent
Current Form: W W W W W W
Key Players
Benfica
Pizzi
3 goals in Europa League 2020-21
Waldschmidt
2 goals in Primeira Liga 2020-21
1 goal in Europa League 2020-21
Rangers
James Tavernier
6 goals in Scottish Premiership 2020-21
1 goal in Europa League 2020-21
Ryan Kent
4 goals in Scottish Premiership 2020-21