The Matchday 8 fixture of the 2025/26 Europa League league phase between Porto (Portugal) and Rangers (Scotland) will take place on 29 January at the Dragao Stadium. Porto vs Rangers: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Porto
The team shared the points away to Viktoria Plzen in the previous round (1:1). As a result, the Portuguese club's unbeaten run in the Europa League has reached four matches (two wins, two draws), although Francesco Farioli's men have kept a clean sheet in just one game during that spell. In the standings, the club sit eighth, and a place in the play-offs is already secured. There is still a chance to climb into the top eight, but to do so they must win in the final round and then hope their rivals slip up.
- The Portuguese side have conceded more than one goal in just one of their last seven Europa League matches.
- At home, the team have won five of their last seven Europa League matches (one draw, one defeat).
- There have been goals in both halves in seven of the club's last eight home matches in this tournament.
Potential Porto Lineup (4-3-3)*
Diogo Costa – Jan Bednarek, Jakub Kiwior, Martim Fernandes, Alberto Costa – Pablo Rosario, Viktor Froholdt, Rodrigo Mora – Borja Sainz, William Gomes, Samuel Omorodion.
Striker Luuk de Jong and midfielder Tomas Perez will miss out through injury.
Rangers
The win over Ludogorets in the previous round (1:0) was not only the team's first of the 2025/26 Europa League campaign, but also ended a nine-match winless run in this tournament (two draws, seven defeats). Rangers have now scored in three straight Europa League matches, but the club have just four goals in total - and only three teams have a worse return. Despite the long-awaited victory, the upcoming match will be the Scots' last in the competition, as they trail the play-off places by four points.
- The team have conceded in seven of their last eight Europa League matches.
- Away from home in this tournament, Rangers are on a run of four consecutive defeats.
- In five of their last six away Europa League games, the Scots have not scored more than once.
Potential Rangers Lineup (4-5-1)*
Jack Butland – Max Aarons, Nasser Djiga, Emmanuel Opeyemi, Jayden Meghoma – Nicolas Raskin, Mikey Moore, Jeydi Gassama, Mohamed Diomande, Telo Asgor – Youssef Chermiti.
Midfielder Connor Barron and defenders Derek Cornelius and John Souttar are currently in the club's treatment room. Striker Danilo will miss the match for family reasons.
Referee
Jasper Vergoote (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
The Portuguese side will surely try to keep hold of their chance of finishing in the top eight. Given the lack of motivation on the part of their opponents and the team's home form, that does not look an impossible task. At home, Porto have avoided defeat in seven of their last eight Europa League matches (five wins, one draw). During that run, the club have conceded more than one goal only once. However, Francesco Farioli's men have not exactly been free-scoring in attack - in the 2025/26 Europa League they have only managed to record a big win against Nice, who were hopeless at the time.
The Scots come into this on the back of a local success which has done nothing to help Rangers in terms of their longer-term prospects. It is worth noting that the win came at home, while in the Europa League away from home they are on a run of four defeats. It is unlikely they will be able to end that streak against motivated hosts. And breaking down the opposition defence will be difficult for the visitors too, as Rangers have major problems in front of goal.
Prediction: Porto to win + Under 3.5 goals
* For each team, the starting XI from their previous match in this tournament is listed.
