Rangers must take full advantage against an under-strength Benfica side as they look to secure qualification from the group stages of the Europa League.
Steven Gerrard’s side can qualify from this season’s competition with two games to spare if Standard Liege also beat Lech Poznan in Belgium tomorrow night.
But a victory over the Group D favourites would all but secure a place in the hat for the Round of 32 as the Gers continue their fine form on the European stage under the Liverpool legend.
Securing a victory against Benfica in this match would mean victory against Standard Liege would guarantee top spot, meaning the club could rest key players during a tricky trip to Poland.
Amid a hectic December schedule, this could make a huge difference as the Gers look to challenge on four different fronts.
Benfica now face the prospect of travelling to Glasgow without eight first-team stars, with the club rocked by five issues due to Covid-19 [Daily Record].
Amongst those missing include a host of first-team names such as Darwin Nunez and Julien Weigl, with Benfica also facing a nightmare full-back crisis with Nuno Taveres, Andre Almeida and Jean-Clair Todibo ruled out.
The Ibrox side showed they could go toe-to-toe with the Portuguese side in the 3-3 draw in Lisbon and with a tie against League One Falkirk on the horizon, they can empty the tank in Glasgow.
There’s scarcely going to be a better chance to take maximum points against this talent-strewn squad – the Primeira Liga side spending close to £90m in the summer.
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