The 8th-round match of the 2025/26 Europa League between Porto (Portugal) and Rangers (Scotland) will take place on 29 january at Estádio do Dragão. Porto vs Rangers: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Porto
Porto drew 1:1 away to Viktoria Plzen in the previous round. Thus, the home side's unbeaten run in the Europa League reached four matches (2 wins, 2 draws), but the home side kept a clean sheet on only one occasion during that stretch. In the standings the club occupies 8th place, and a spot in the play-offs has already been secured. There is a chance to move into the top eight, but to do so the hosts must win in the final round and hope rivals slip up.
- Porto did not concede more than one goal in 6 of their previous 7 matches in the Europa League.
- At home the side has won 5 of its last 7 Europa League matches (1 draw, 1 loss).
- There was a goal in both halves in 7 of the club's 8 previous home games in this competition.
Potential Porto Lineup (4-3-3)*
Porto: Diogo Costa – Jan Bednarek, Jakub Kiwior, Martim Fernandes, Alberto Costa – Pablo Rosario, Viktor Froholdt, Rodrigo Mora – Borja Sainz, William Gomez, Samuel Omorodion.
Striker Luuk de Jong and midfielder Thomas Perez will miss the match due to injury.
Rangers
Rangers recorded a 1:0 victory over Ludogorets in the previous round — the side's first win in the 2025/26 Europa League and it ended a nine-match winless run in the competition (2 draws, 7 losses). At the same time the visitors have scored in three consecutive Europa League matches, but the club has only four goals in total, a worse record than only three opponents. Despite the long-awaited win, the upcoming game will be the visitors' last in the tournament: the gap to the play-off zone is four points.
- The side conceded in 7 of its last 8 Europa League matches.
- Away in this competition Rangers have a run of 4 defeats.
- In 5 of the last 6 Europa League away games the Scots failed to score more than one goal.
Potential Rangers Lineup (4-5-1)*
Rangers: Jack Butland – Max Aarons, Nasser Djiga, Emmanuel Opeyemi, Jayden Megoma – Nicolas Raskin, Conor Barron, Jeidy Gassama, Mohammed Diomande, Telo Osgor – Youssef Chermiti.
Midfielder Connor Barron and defenders Derek Cornelius, John Souttar and Dujon Sterling are sidelined with injuries.
Referee
Jasper Vergot (Belgium)
Matches – 5 (International matches, 2025/26);
Yellow Cards Shown (including second yellows) – 20;
Average Yellow Cards Per Match – 4;
Red Cards Shown – 1;
Fouls Per Match On Average – 27;
Penalties – 40%.
Porto vs Rangers: Match Prediction
Porto will certainly try to secure the opportunity to reach the top eight. Given the opponent's lack of motivation and the home side's results, this task does not seem insurmountable. At home Porto has not lost in 7 of its last 8 Europa League matches (5 wins, 1 draw). In that stretch the club conceded more than one goal only once. Porto's attack has not been prolific: in the 2025/26 Europa League the only comprehensive victory came against a Nice side that was already struggling at the time.
The Scots will arrive buoyed by a local success that did little to improve Rangers' wider prospects. It should be noted that the win was achieved at home, while away in the Europa League they have a run of four defeats. It is unlikely that run will be ended against motivated hosts. In addition, breaking down the opponent's defense will be difficult, as Rangers have major problems scoring goals.
Prediction: Porto To Win And Under 3.5 Goals
* The starting lineup shown for each team is from its previous match in this competition.
