Both of these sides are known for racking up the goals in their respective leagues and we expect that attacking potential to carry through into this European clash.

Starting with the hosts, Benfica are the second-top scoring side in the Portuguese top-flight scoring 56 goals in 24 games, 2.33 per 90 this season. Of these outings, 62% have seen the net bulge on at least three occasions, mostly down to their sheer attacking strength but they’re not perfect at the back. 42% of Benfica’s league games have seen both teams score and facing a restless Rangers side here will certainly bring more defensive challenges.

Benfica were eliminated from the Champions League following their third place finish in the group stages, but they certainly went out in style. In their final three Champions League matches, both teams scored in every clash and each game saw a minimum of four goals scored.

This affinity with European drama closely followed them into the Europa League with their first leg in the R32 seeing both teams score and three goals. Aside from their European clashes, over 2.5 goals has landed in six consecutive matches for Benfica and in nine of their last ten.

Rangers are in equally great scoring form, finding the net in a whopping 27 consecutive matches across all competitions – talk about goal threat. The Gers are averaging 2.21 goals scored per 90 in Scotland and very similarly to their Thursday hosts, have seen 3+ goals in seven consecutive fixtures, which extends out to in ten of their last 11.

Rangers’ Europa League Group Stage campaign was also filled with action – both teams scored in four of the six games, with three of those fixtures seeing 3+ goals. Rangers have only been silenced on three occasions so far this campaign, twice in the league and once in the group stage, so playing away from home certainly doesn’t intimidate them.

One of Benfica’s brightest stars so far this campaign has been Rafa Silva who has netted 14 times in 32 appearances across all competitions, currently the fourth top scorer in the Primeira Liga.

Silva is the most dangerous marksman in this Benfica side, recording 3.09 shots per 90 this season and 1.34 shots on target to the same measure. Silva scored two goals in his last home appearance at Estádio da Luz and he could shine again on Tuesday.

The Portuguese forward has hit the target at least once in 13 of his last 15 games across all competitions and has picked up a very impressive 10 goals in that time. He netted twice during Benfica’s Champions League group games so maybe he can bring his European quality into this knockout leg – targeting him in the goalscorer markets may hold great value.

James Tavernier continues to prove himself as one of Rangers’ most valuable attacking assets, boasting attacking statistics that most centre-forwards would gladly take.

Over in Scotland, Tavernier averages a very respectable 2.01 efforts per game and 0.76 shots on target, and he has registered at least one shot in 19 of his previous 20 matches. He has hit the target at least once in five consecutive league matches, 9 times in total.

Tavernier remains a consistent threat in Europe, registering 1+ shots in five of Rangers’ six group stage games, hitting the target in three of those outings.

Set pieces have surfaced as a valuable market to target in Benfica and Rangers’ European matches with both teams seemingly transferring their domestic love for corners into Europe.

All of Benfica’s Champions League games, and both their Europa League R32 ties against Toulouse, witnessed 8+ total corners. Of those eight matches, Benfica took 4+ corners on five occasions but only managed to win two corner match bets, highlighting their vulnerability to conceding set pieces.

This partners well with their domestic form as they have taken 5+ corners in seven of their last eight matches. Benfica boast an average of 9.79 total corners per 90 in Portugal, however this does rise up to 11.67 when playing on home soil. They have shown both their willingness to attack on the wings and susceptibility to being on the receiving end of set pieces.

Rangers have seen 10+ corners in four of their six matchups in this competition, with the other two fixtures coming up slightly short with totals of seven and eight corners.

The Gers also average 7.10 corners taken per 90 in this season’s Scottish Premiership campaign so there’s certainly potential for a high corner count on Thursday night.