Prediction: Rangers vs Braga

Prediction: Braga win

Best Odds: 59/20

Bookmaker: 888sport

With the first leg of this season’s Europa League quarter-finals officially in the books, it’s time to look ahead to the crucial second chapter for all eight clubs. A win here, or at the very least progression, means they’ll be just two games away from reaching the final in Seville. Today, we’ll be taking a look at what has the potential to be a fascinating encounter between Rangers and Braga.

Rangers

The majority of Rangers fans know that Celtic are champions in waiting and that, in itself, must be a pretty painful reality for them to face. They’ve got a squad that is built to thrive as we’ve seen from their run to the last eight of the Europa League, but perhaps they don’t quite have that depth that would push them over into the elite category. Either way, the fans alone will give them a huge advantage on Thursday.

Team News

Morelos is out for the rest of the season in a big blow for Rangers with the other two confirmed absences being Hagi and Ofoborh.

Braga

Braga aren’t shooting for the stars in the Primeira Liga but they’re comfortable enough in fourth place that they can afford to put some real focus behind their Europa League effort. The best thing that can be said for their squad is that they are incredibly organised, which should be enough to get them past Rangers in the second leg – so long as they can handle the pressure which isn’t always a guarantee.

Team News

Sequeira and Fernandes are both injured for this one with the same starting XI that played in the first leg being expected to feature.

Factors to Consider

• Braga won the first leg 1-0 in Portugal with Abel Ruiz scoring the only goal.
• Rangers have won three and lost three of their last six games.
• Braga have won four, drawn one and lost one of their last six games.
• Rangers have scored 11 goals and conceded six in their last six games.
• Braga have scored eight goals and five in their last six games.

Conclusion

The big problem for Rangers is going to be leaving themselves exposed to the Braga counter, especially given how resolute the Portuguese side can be defensively. We can picture the visitors taking the lead before Rangers level things up, forcing the hosts to really go after the win. In the end, though, they’ll fall short, with Braga scoring again to claim a 3-1 aggregate win and a place in the semi-finals.

Prediction: Braga win

Best Odds: 59/20

Bookmaker: 888sport