Braga v Rangers predictions: Goals could flow in Portugal

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Braga v Rangers in the Europa League quarter-finals.

Where to watch

BT Sport 2, 8pm Thursday

Best bet

Over 2.5 goals
1pt 11-10 bet365

Team news

Braga
Nuno Sequeira is a long-term absentee and Roger Fernandes is set to miss the first leg. Jean Gorby is a doubt, but Vitinha could return to the starting line-up after coming off the bench to score at the weekend.

Rangers
Alfredo Morelos will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery on a thigh injury. Alex Lowry and Ianis Hagi are also out.

Match preview

Rangers' Scottish Premiership title defence was dealt a major blow with defeat in the Old Firm Derby on Sunday but the Gers have saved their best for Europe this season.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst's men upset the odds by beating Europa League favourites Borussia Dortmund in the knockout round playoffs and they followed that impressive victory with a win over Red Star in the last 16.

Rangers managed a 4-2 win in Germany and they were able to hold Dortmund to a 2-2 draw at Ibrox. There were six goals across two legs against Red Star and another high-scoring clash looks likely in Portugal.

The Gers have done well to reach this stage, but they conceded 30 shots combined in trips to Dortmund and Belgrade and that has to be a concern for this away fixture.

There's also added physical worries, as this game comes a few days after that intense Old Firm clash.

Braga have scored four goals in their two home Europa League knockout games, against Sheriff and Monaco, and they also put three past a good Benfica side at the Estadio Municipal on Friday.

Carlos Carvalhal's side have lost just three league matches at home this season and their attack should be further boosted by the return of forward Vitinha.

Braga have scored at least two goals in six of the last nine matches on their own patch and look capable of troubling a Rangers defence that hasn't kept an away clean sheet in this competition since they drew 0-0 with Alashkert to qualify for the group stage.

Key stat

Over 2.5 goals has landed in Rangers' last four Europa League matches.

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