Our prediction for this Europa League match:
Ibrox Stadium will be packed when Rangers and Benfica face each other in a highly-anticipated Europa League showdown. The Gers are brimming with confidence following the FA Cup win over Hibernian and they are surely capable of matching the Eagles in front of home fans. As Rangers looked sharp in front of goal in a 2-2 draw with Benfica a week ago, we predict that they are going to find the net in the second leg. Keep in mind, though, that both Dujon Sterling and Ross McCausland suffered injuries in the FA Cup triumph.
The Primeira Liga outfit, on the other hand, defeated Estoril 3-1 in their last league match. Angel Di Maria returns to the starting XI after the Argentina winger was rested in the last league fixture, with Rafa Silva pushing for a start as well. Nicolas Otamendi is back from suspension. Given Benfica’s attacking potential, we believe that there is a big value in betting on both teams to score.
Highlighted Player (Angel di Maria):
Angel Di Maria is a professional footballer who played for Argentine side Rosario Central at the start of his senior career. The left-footed winger is very quick on the ball and he often makes life difficult for opposition defenders. After playing for Benfica between 2007 and 2010, the Argentine superstar signed for Real Madrid on 28 June, 2010 for a fee of €25 million + €11 million in bonuses.
Despite impressing with los Blancos in the 2013/2014 La Liga campaign, the club chiefs decided to sell him to Manchester United on 26 August, 2014. Di Maria was playing below expectations at Old Trafford and he scored three goals in 27 league games for the Red Devils.
In 2015 he moved to Paris Saint-Germain and he scored 10 goals in 29 league appearances for les Parisiens in the 2015/2016 Ligue 1 campaign. In 2014 he won the Champions League trophy with Real Madrid and that is considered the biggest success of his career. Angel Di Maria was born in Rosario on 14 February, 1988.
Highlighted Team (Rangers):
Glasgow Rangers are one of the two synonyms for Scottish Football. Glasgow Rangers were founded back in 1872 and they have been playing an important role in the Scottish top flight ever since. The Gers won their 54th Scottish Premier League title in the 2010/2011 season, but winning of European Cup Winners’ Cup trophy in 1972 is considered the club’s biggest success.
Glasgow Rangers defeated Dynamo Moscow in the final of the competition, with the likes of Stein and Johnston (two goals) scoring for the Scottish side. Celtic are considered the club’s biggest rivals and there have always been fireworks when the two teams meet in the Old Firm derby. The likes of Paul Gascoigne, David Weir, Stefan Klos, Chris Boyd, Ian Durrant and Kenny Miller are some of Rangers’ former notable players.
It has to be noted that the Gers welcome their rivals at Ibrox Stadium, the venue with the capacity of 50,817. Rangers’ support is largely drawn from the Protestant Unionist community.