Given the stark contrast between these two teams’ Europa League campaigns, it’s hard to see anything other than a Porto victory on Thursday night. Moreover, Porto also have the added incentive of securing all three points, as doing so could see them finish in the top eight and qualify automatically for the round of 16.

What’s more, Francesco Farioli has turned the Estadio do Dragao into a fortress this season. Porto have already taken top honours from their home meetings with Red Star Belgrade, Nice and Malmo, while in the Portuguese Primeira Liga they’ve won eight of their nine home fixtures. 

With that in mind, it’s tough to see Rangers taking anything from this trip, particularly after coming away empty-handed from visits to Sturm Graz, Brann, and Ferencvaros - with Porto representing a significant step up from all three. On top of that, Danny Rohl’s side could have one eye on their Scottish Premiership title challenge, with Sunday’s clash with Hibernian likely taking precedence over this dead rubber.

Another Celtic player that I’m keen to back to commit at least one foul on Thursday night is Liam Scales. The Hoops centre-half is prone to being rash in the tackle, and that tendency has shown up in Europe this term, with Scales committing an average of 0.97 fouls per game.

What's more, the Republic of Ireland international has overstepped the mark in each of Celtic’s three Europa League home games this season, giving away multiple free-kicks in two of those matches.

Recent foul data in the Scottish Premiership strengthens the case for this selection. Across his last four league starts, Scales has fallen foul of the referee a combined total of 10 times, committing three fouls against Hearts on Sunday.

The likelihood of Scales finding himself in a direct battle with Miguel Rodriguez on Thursday night only adds to the appeal of siding with this selection. The Utrecht ace has proven to be a foul magnet this season, earning multiple set-pieces for his team in each of their seven league phase matches.

Nottingham Forest’s record of three wins, two draws, and two losses is slightly underwhelming, putting them slap bang in the middle of the pile. The Tricky Trees are three points adrift of the top eight, but also three points clear of safety, so they don’t have too much to play for here. However, finishing as high as possible could be useful as they hope for an easier matchup in the playoff round. 

Sean Dyche has been adamant on rotating his eleven for midweek games, and he opted for several changes against Braga last time out. That didn't pay off, though, as his side suffered a 1-0 loss. Prior to that, Forest also conceded against Utrecht. 

Ferencvaros aren’t a side to be underestimated here - they have scored in every Europa League game so far, and are yet to taste defeat. With a top-eight spot still a possibility, they have every reason to be front-footed in their approach.

With John McGinn out injured, Jadon Sancho was entrusted to start out on the right wing by Unai Emery at the weekend. Evan Guessand was an unused substitute in that game, but is likely to feature here from the start, given how he has been a regular in the Europa League so far. 

The Ivory Coast international has accrued more fouls than any other Aston Villa player in Europe so far, averaging 1.84 fouls per 90. He has committed an infringement in five out of six starts in total, including four fouls against FC Basel. 

Guessand’s primary matchup on the flank will be against Frank Kratzig. The fullback is averaging 0.72 fouls drawn per 90 this season, which is nothing to write home about, but he has been fouled in each of his last four starts. Kerim Alajbegovic should also play on the left - he is averaging 2.95 fouls drawn per 90 this season, and will occupy a similar zone of the field as Guessand. 

Go Ahead Eagles have had a mixed campaign in the league phase of the Europa League and can still qualify for the next stage - but would need a big swing of goal difference and a win on the final day against a Braga side that has impressed throughout the league phase.

Go Ahead Eagles have lost five of their seven matches in the Europa League this season, conceding 14 goals across these games. This would suggest that Braga can cover the majority of the goal line we require here given the issues that the Eredivisie side have faced at the back in the Europa League this term. Go Ahead Eagles’ recent games also offer promise for a high goal count here - they’ve seen 3+ goals in each of their last four matches across all competitions.

Braga have won five of their seven games in the Europa League this season, so they come into the game as favourites to pick up all three points and secure their spot in the top eight. Goal difference could prove to be the deciding factor in who finishes in the top eight, with teams down to 11th still able to catch Braga, encouraging the Liga Portugal side to go forward regularly in the contest.