Rangers v Benfica: Keith Jackson predicts Europa League score at Ibrox amid ‘phenomenon’
Keith Jackson has backed Rangers to beat Benfica and secure their spot in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
Philippe Clement’s men welcome the Portuguese giants to Ibrox on Thursday (14 March) for the second leg of their round-of-16 tie after drawing the opening fixture 2-2 in Lisbon last week.
Daily Record journalist Jackson predicts the Light Blues will win 2-1 at Ibrox, securing a 4-3 aggregate win and setting up a match in the last eight of the competition.
Writing in the print edition of the Daily Record (14 March, page 44), Jackson said: “Europa League Thursdays under the Ibrox lights have become a recent phenomenon. And this feels like one to add to the list. Yes, Benfica have quality all over the pitch and, true, even if they’ve been struggling for form they ought to have enough to get through this tie.
“But Rangers shocked them in Lisbon last week without playing anywhere near their best. Roared on by a home crowd, they can storm into the last eight.”
Who could Rangers play in Europa League quarter-finals?
Yes, we’re looking ahead a bit here but there’s no doubt that if Rangers do beat Benfica on Thursday night to qualify for the Europa League quarter-finals, it will be a tough tie on offer.
Liverpool, Villarreal and Roma all look sure bets to be in the hat for the last eight because they all won by four-goal margins in the first leg of their round-of-16 ties last week. AC Milan also have a two-goal advantage against Slavia Prague so you’d imagine they’ll go through as well.
Out of the remaining games, Freiburg are 1-0 up against West Ham while Sporting CP and Atalanta, and Qarabag and Bayer Leverkusen are level.
You’d imagine West Ham would be able to turn things around at the London Stadium on Thursday and Bundesliga leaders Leverkusen should knock out Azerbaijani minnows Qarabag. Sporting CP v Atalanta and Rangers v Benfica seem to be the only ones really up in the air.
We think the Gers should be able to see off Benfica though. The Portuguese side are in poor form and if Rangers can grab a draw away at their place, they should be able to beat them at home.
We’re going to go for 2-0 to the Gers.
In other Rangers news, an exit deal for a senior Ibrox ace is wanted before the season’s end.
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