BETTING GUIDE: Porto vs Rangers, match preview, team news and betting tip
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Reading Time: 4min | Wed. 28.01.26. | 20:31
Rangers, by contrast, arrive already eliminated with just four points, as their late 1-0 win over Ludogorets came after five defeats had ended their hopes
FC Porto host Rangers on Thursday night at the Estadio Do Dragao, knowing a top-eight finish in the Europa League league phase is still within reach.
The Portuguese side sit ninth on 14 points, just outside the automatic qualification places on goal difference, and are guaranteed at least a playoff spot after four wins from seven matches.
Rangers, by contrast, arrive already eliminated with just four points, as their late 1-0 win over Ludogorets came after five defeats had ended their hopes.
While the Scots travel with confidence following an eight-game winning run domestically, including five straight clean sheets, their European away form remains a concern after losing all three league-phase road games, despite being unbeaten in previous meetings with Porto.
Porto come into this fixture in excellent overall form. Francesco Farioli’s side are top of Liga Portugal with a commanding lead and have won 10 of their last 11 matches across all competitions, drawing the other.
In the Europa League, Porto have collected 14 points from seven matches (W4, D2, L1), leaving them narrowly outside the automatic qualification places on goal difference.
Over their last five games in all competitions, the Dragons have scored seven goals and conceded just one, underlining their defensive solidity.
At home, Porto have been particularly reliable in Europe.
They have won all three of their league-phase matches at the Dragão, conceding just once in the process.
Across their last six matches overall, Porto are averaging 1.5 goals scored per game while conceding just 0.17, with five clean sheets in that run.
However, in the Europa League specifically, they have managed just one clean sheet in their last five outings, hinting at occasional defensive lapses against European opposition.
Team news suggests minimal disruption for the hosts. Luuk de Jong and Nehuen Pérez remain doubts, while Thiago Silva is ineligible.
Jakub Kiwior is expected to partner Jan Bednarek at centre-back, with Samu Aghehowa leading the line.
Aghehowa is Porto’s top scorer in the competition with three goals, supported creatively by Pepe, who leads the assist charts for the side.
Rangers arrive in Portugal with very little to play for in terms of qualification, but confidence is not lacking.
The Scottish side have won all of their last six matches in all competitions, scoring 16 goals and conceding just one in that spell.
Domestically, they have rediscovered fluency and physical sharpness, winning away at Celtic and Aberdeen during this run.
European form, however, tells a very different story. Rangers have managed just one win from seven Europa League matches (W1, D1, L5), leaving them with four points and already eliminated.
Away from home in this competition, they have lost all three matches, conceding multiple goals in each.
Even so, Rangers have scored in each of their last three Europa League games, showing improvement in attacking output despite poor results.
In terms of squad availability, Rangers are missing several players through injury, including Bailey Rice, Connor Barron and John Souttar.
January signings Skov Olsen and Chukwuani are unregistered, meaning attacking responsibility is likely to fall on Djeidi Gassama and Bojan Miovski, with James Tavernier offering an additional goal threat from right-back.
The head-to-head record adds intrigue. The sides last met in 2019, when Rangers won 2-0 at Ibrox and drew 1-1 in Porto. Rangers are technically unbeaten in their previous meetings, but current form and context heavily favour the hosts.
Key betting points;
Porto have won all three of their Europa League home matches.
Rangers have lost all three away games in the league phase.
Porto are unbeaten in their last 11 matches overall.
Rangers have scored in their last three Europa League games.
With Porto pushing for a top-eight finish and Rangers playing with freedom and confidence despite elimination, this sets up as a competitive but controlled home performance.
Porto’s consistency and home strength should prevail, though Rangers’ recent scoring form suggests they can get on the scoresheet.
Prediction; Porto to win and Both Teams to Score (BTTS)
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