Rangers to all but seal passage through
The two leading sides in Europa League Group D lock horns at Ibrox on Thursday evening. Both teams sit on seven points after three matches and enjoy a healthy cushion over third-placed Lech Poznań. Defeat for either is unlikely to knock them off course in their qualification quest, but there's every reason to believe Steven Gerrard can ensure The Gers progress to the knockout stages with time to spare. Read our preview here:
Defensive lessons learned?
Of course, things could've been very different coming into this encounter had Rangers managed to hold onto their 3-1 lead at the Estádio da Luz. Despite having a man advantage for over two thirds of the game, they weren't able to make that count in the end, surrendering their slender grip on the three points in injury time. The blue half of Glasgow had only themselves to blame for the eventual draw, which was marked by three cheap goals given away to opponents who will always make the most of such generous offerings. On the other hand, the hosts couldn't live with the livewire James Tavernier down the right flank, nor Rangers' new top goalscorer in European competition, Alfredo Morelos. There was plenty to admire about the endeavour on display at a tricky ground to visit, and a similar tactical approach with fewer, avoidable defensive misjudgements could prove profitable. Further plunderings in the SPFL have only instilled even greater confidence and swagger in Gerrard's charges.
A Pizzi the action
Experienced attack-minded midfielder Pizzi will be looking to keep up his record in the Europa League this campaign of a goal every game under the floodlights in Scotland on Thursday. Stalwart head coach Jorge Jesus, back in the dugout for a second spell, will stick with a 4-4-1-1 shape and commit men forward when there are chances for a counter. Left-winger Everton has also been deeply impressive on the continent in 2020/2021, and a similarly high level of performance will make Tavernier think twice about roving forward unabated, especially given the former's propensity to cut in from the flank. Key absences to the matchday squad will undermine hopes of a win; Nicolás Otamendi and Julian Weigl are out through a costly red card in the previous clash and COVID-19 respectively.
Optimism grows
There is a real sense that this season, Rangers can challenge on two fronts in a way that they haven't been able to for a multitude of reasons for over a decade. Gerrard has managed to find a formula to compete with Celtic at home, and most of Europe's biggest clubs in the secondary cup. Progress continues to be made at a pleasing rate, and whilst he is the last person who will take the threats Benfica possess lightly, there are many legitimate reasons to believe they can take all three points. 888sport are offering odds of 2.15 for them see off the red part of Lisbon.
