Kick-off: 1700, 26/02/2020
Stadium: Estadio Municipal de Braga
TV: BT Sport
Rangers staged a fantastic fightback when beating Braga 3-2 in the first leg of their Europa League tie but we fear it may ultimately prove in vain.
Their opponents have been in outstanding form in Portugal and looked an excellent team at times at Ibrox, despite being hampered by a poor playing surface.
We’re snapping up 9/10 for a home win in the return fixture for our initial Braga vs Rangers prediction.
A Look At Braga’s Betting Odds
Brazilian skipper Fransergio and on-loan Barcelona striker Abel Ruiz tamed the blustery conditions to fire Braga 2-0 up in Glasgow.
The manner in which Rangers rallied was admirable, but they were played off the park for much of the first hour and face a stiff test in the away leg.
“It was a great game and we were fantastic in the first part,” said Braga assistant boss Micael Sequeira.
“We could have made it 3-0, but Rangers then turned it around. Wednesday is a different game and we are still confident we can go through.”
The Archbishops bounced back by beating Vitoria Setubal 3-1 on Sunday, with Barcelona-bound midfielder Trincao completing the scoring.
That made it nine wins and a draw from their last 10 domestic league and cup fixtures, with Porto (twice), Benfica and Sporting Lisbon all beaten during that hot streak.
Looking at the Braga vs Rangers odds, we like 39/20 for the hosts to lead at half-time and full-time here.
A Look At Rangers’ Betting Odds
New signing Ianis Hagi, son of Romania great Gheorghe, inspired the Rangers comeback last Thursday, bagging a brace either side of Joe Aribo’s fine strike.
The 21-year-old’s 82nd-minute winner from a deflected free-kick sparked jubilant scenes around Ibrox.
Steven Gerrard beamed: “We’ve beat a real good, dangerous team. I thought Braga were outstanding at times. They really had some success against us.
“But I’m really proud of my players. At 2-0 down, the character, the effort and the desire they’ve had to put in to turn that scoreline around was incredible.”
However, there was a sting in the tale for the Light Blues, who will be without top scorer Alfredo Morelos in Portugal due to suspension after he picked up a booking.
Rangers have been struggling in the Scottish Premiership, with Sunday’s 2-2 draw at St Johnstone being the fourth time in seven league fixtures they have dropped points.
Let’s finish off our Braga vs Rangers betting tips by taking 333/100 for Paulinho to break the deadlock for the hosts.
The 27-year-old is Braga’s leading marksman in the Primeira Liga this season with nine goals and has also netted six times in this competition, scoring in home ties against Brondby, Besiktas and Wolves.
Additional stats
First-leg result:
RANGERS 3-2 BRAGA – Ianis Hagi (2), Joe Aribo + Fransergio, Abel Ruiz
Previous head-to-head: N/A
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