9 hours ago
5
Europa League, Porto v Rangers
Venue: Estadio Do Dragao, Porto Date: Thursday, 29 January Kick-off: 20:00 GMT
Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio Scotland; live text on BBC Sport website & app.
Porto will present the biggest challenge of Rangers' recent improvement under head coach Danny Rohl.
Francesco Farioli's side need to win on Thursday to get into the Europa League's top eight and straight through to the last 16, as they sit ninth on goal difference as it stands.
That gives the 36-year-old Italian reason to play his strongest side as they also aim to stretch their unbeaten run to 12 games, having won 10 of their last 11.
Porto's biggest strength is their defence.
Arsenal loanee Jakub Kiwior and former Southampton centre-half Jan Bednarek, along with Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa, have been the bedrock of a strong unit.
They have also recruited 41-year-old Champions League winner Thiago Silva to their ranks, although he cannot be registered before the knockout stage after his switch from Fluminense.
Nonetheless, the Primeira Liga leaders have conceded just four goals in 19 league matches this season and have kept seven clean sheets in their last 11 games.
Up the other end, Spain striker Samu Aghehowa has 20 goals already this campaign, while former Norwich City winger Borja Sainz is also among a clutch of dangerous attackers.
They have found life harder in the Europa League than domestically, as you would expect, but Nottingham Forest are still the only side to defeat Porto in the competition.
That is one of only two defeats all season for the Portuguese side, who will start the match as strong favourites.
Porto are ninth in the Europa League, while Rangers are 31st and already eliminated.
Including qualifiers, Rangers have lost their past five away matches in Europe, which is already their joint-longest run of consecutive defeats on the road in Europe.
Porto have won all of their three home matches in the Europa League this season.
Despite creating 9.2 xG (expected goals) in the Europa League this season, Rangers have scored just four goals, with their -5.2 xG difference the biggest underperformance in the competition this term.
Rangers have won three and lost just one of their previous six meetings with Porto.
Their most recent meeting was in November 2019, when Rangers won 2-0 at home in the Europa League.
Rangers have yet to win away to Porto, losing once and drawing twice, the latest 1-1 draw coming in the Europa League in October 2019.
Porto have won six and lost four of their 13 matches against Scottish opponents and have yet to lose at home, winning three of six matches.
Rangers have won 11 and lost just five of 25 matches against Portuguese opponents.
Rangers have won three and lost four of 12 matches in Portugal, drawing their latest 2-2 with Benfica in March 2024.
While Rangers are on an eight-game winning streak, Porto are unbeaten in 11 outings, winning 10 of them.
Rangers sit second in the Scottish Premiership, four points behind Heart of Midlothian, while Porto lead Sporting by seven points at the top of the Primeira Liga.
