In-form Porto to Challenge Rangers’ Progress

Match Preview: Porto vs. Rangers

Venue: Estadio Do Dragao, Porto
Date: Thursday, January 29
Kick-off: 20:00 GMT
Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio Scotland; live text updates on the BBC Sport website and app.

Porto’s Form Poses a Major Test for Rangers

Porto will be a formidable opponent as Rangers look to demonstrate their recent improvements under coach Danny Rohl. Francesco Farioli’s team must secure a victory in this crucial Europa League encounter to move into the top eight, ensuring a direct passage to the knockout stage. Currently, they sit ninth based on goal difference.

With an eye on extending their unbeaten streak to 12 matches, having claimed 10 wins in their last 11 outings, Farioli is expected to field his strongest lineup.

Porto’s Defensive Strength

Porto’s strongest asset is their defense, fortified by the skills of Polish defenders Jakub Kiwior and Jan Bednarek, alongside goalkeeper Diogo Costa. The team has also added acclaimed Champions League winner Thiago Silva to their squad; however, he won’t be eligible until the knockout rounds due to the timing of his transfer from Fluminense.

This season, Porto has conceded only four goals across 19 league matches, achieving a notable seven clean sheets in their last 11 games.

Key Players to Watch

At the other end of the field, forward Samu Aghehowa has already netted 20 goals this season, while the former Norwich City winger, Borja Sainz, is another potent threat among a roster of talented attackers.

Porto’s Europa League Performance

Despite Porto’s domestic strength, they have encountered difficulty in the Europa League. Nevertheless, Nottingham Forest remains the sole team to defeat them in this season’s competition. This loss contributes to only two defeats overall for the Portuguese club this season, making them significant favorites going into the match.

Match Statistics

• Porto is currently ranked ninth in the Europa League, whereas Rangers sit at 31st and have already been eliminated.
• Rangers have suffered five consecutive defeats in away European matches, marking their longest such streak.
• Porto has claimed victory in all three of their home matches in the Europa League this season.
• Although Rangers generated an expected goals (xG) of 9.2 in their Europa League games, they have only managed to score four times, showcasing a -5.2 xG difference, which is the most significant underperformance in the tournament this year.
• Rangers have triumphed in three and lost just one of their last six encounters with Porto, with their most recent victory in November 2019, when they won 2-0 at home in the Europa League.
• Historically, Rangers have yet to win at Porto, with one loss and two draws; the latest draw was a 1-1 outcome in October 2019.
• Porto holds a record of six wins and four losses in 13 matches against Scottish teams, maintaining an undefeated home record against them with three victories and three losses.
• Rangers have won 11 of 25 matches against Portuguese clubs, losing only five.
• During their visits to Portugal, Rangers have secured three wins and suffered four losses, with their most recent result a 2-2 draw against Benfica in March 2024.
• Rangers are currently on an eight-match winning streak, while Porto remains unbeaten in their last 11 games, winning 10 of them.
• In the current league standings, Rangers are placed second in the Scottish Premiership, four points behind leaders Heart of Midlothian, while Porto is leading the Primeira Liga, seven points ahead of Sporting.