Rangers go in search of their first point in this season’s Europa League as they welcome Braga to Ibrox Stadium on Thursday.
One of only two sides to have lost all four opening games in the campaign, the Gers are rock bottom of the 36-team standings, while their Portuguese visitors have been impressive in the competition so far, sitting fifth after collecting nine points from a possible 12.
Read our Rangers vs Braga prediction and preview to find out more, and remember to check our other Europa League tips.
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Rangers vs Braga prediction: Make or break for the Gers
Key stats:
- Five of Braga’s eight goals in the league phase have come after the interval.
- Rangers have won three of the four head-to-head meetings between the sides, including both home games in this sequence.
- Each of Braga’s last eight games across all competitions has produced a winner, with both teams finding the net in the most recent four.
Correct score prediction: Rangers 2-1 Braga
Rangers are in dire need of victory on Thursday, else hopes of progression to the knockouts would be all but over.
The Gers would be buoyed by consecutive wins and have every reason for optimism considering their success against Braga, so we are backing the hosts to take full spoils in an encounter likely to produce goals at both ends, as in the previous meetings at Ibrox.
Pre-match analysis: Hosts to offer great value?
- HOME: 2/1 (3.00) – 33.3%
- DRAW: 12/5 (3.40) – 29.4%
- AWAY: 5/4 (2.25) – 44.4%
*Odds courtesy of Ladbrokes; subject to change*
Understandably, Rangers are seen as underdogs by the bookies considering how their Europa campaign has gone.
However, the odds also suggest that the Gers have a solid chance of securing victory with a 33.3% win probability, while Braga are slightly favoured at 44.4%.
Our hot tip of both teams to score and either side to win offers great value at 2.60, taking into consideration how the previous two of this very fixture ended.
Most recent head-to-head: The Gers emerged winners after 120 minutes
The most recent meeting came in the quarter-finals of the 2021-22 Europa season, where Rangers secured a 3-1 extra-time victory at Ibrox after falling at Minho in the first leg.
UEFA Europa League 14/04/22
Rangers
Braga
UEFA Europa League 07/04/22
Braga
Rangers
Rangers preview: A host of absentees
Rangers head into this encounter with a host of players in the treatment room, with Bailey Rice, Derek Cornelius, Dujon Sterling, John Souttar, Kieran Dowell, Mikey Moore and Rabbi Matondo all out injured.
Predicted XI: Butland (GK), Tavernier, Djiga, Fernandez, Meghoma, Raskin, Diomande, Antman, Aasgaard, Gassama & Chermiti
Rangers’ last five results:
- 22/11/25: Rangers 2-1 Livingston (W)
- 09/11/25: Dundee FC 0-3 Rangers (W)
- 06/11/25: Rangers 0-2 AS Roma (L)
- 02/11/25: Celtic 3-1 Rangers (L)
- 29/10/25: Hibernian 0-1 Rangers (W)
Braga preview: An almost full squad
Aside from centre-back Jonatas Noro, who has been injured throughout the season, and defensive midfielder Vítor Carvalho, Braga do not appear to have any other expected absentees for this game.
Predicted XI: Hornicek (GK), Lagerbielke, Niakate, Arrey-Mbi, Dorgeles, Gorby, Moutinho, Lelo, Zalazar, Horta & Navarro
Braga’s last five results:
- 23/11/25: Braga 4-2 Nacional (W)
- 09/11/25: Braga 2-1 Moreirense (W)
- 06/11/25: Braga 3-4 Genk (L)
- 02/11/25: FC Porto 2-1 Braga (L)
- 29/10/25: Braga 5-0 Santa Clara (W)
Player to Watch: James Tavernier
Quite an impressive record for a right-back, James Tavernier has been directly involved in five goals (G2, A3) in his last eight appearances for Rangers, so making an impact on Thursday would not be surprising, especially considering the Gers skipper scored a brace in the last head-to-head meeting between the two sides.