Rangers: Europa League prospects predicted by supercomputer after Benfica draw in last 16
The chances of Rangers winning the Europa League have decreased after being drawn against Benfica, according to Opta Analyst.
The number-crunchers have given the Gers a 0.6 per cent of lifting the trophy in Dublin three months from now.
That is slightly down on the one-per-cent chance the Gers were given prior to being drawn with Benfica on Friday (23 February).
Europa League favourites 2023-24
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Liverpool are the favourites to win the competition with a likelihood of 32.3 per cent.
Bayer Leverkusen are second with 19.8 per cent and Milan third on 8.9 per cent, followed then by the Gers’ last-16 opponents Benfica.
For what it is worth, the Gers are given a 25.5-per-cent chance of winning that knockout tie and making it to the quarter-finals.
Only three teams – Slavia Prague, Sparta Prague and Qarabag – are given less of a chance of winning the tournament than Rangers.
Not many would have given the Gers much hope of reaching the final two seasons ago, though, so the underdog tag can work in our favour.
Overcoming the Portuguese champions is going to be a massive task, but Philippe Clement’s men are more than capable of doing so.
It will make for a magical atmosphere at Ibrox, even if the kick-off time has been changed to an earlier slot.
Should they manage that and reach the quarters, then we have already witnessed that anything is possible.
In other Rangers news, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers was wide of the mark with his title race comments.
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