• This is the third European meeting between Benfica and Rangers - the first two were both draws in the 2020-21 Europa League group stage (3-3 in Portugal, 2-2 in Scotland).
• Rangers have only lost one of their last seven away European trips to Portugal, winning twice, although it was their most recent game there in April 2022, losing 1-0 to Braga.

• This is Rangers' first knockout match in major European competition since the 2022 Europa League final, which they lost on penalties to Eintracht Frankfurt after a 1-1 draw - they lost three of their four away knockout matches that season.

Benfica boss Roger Schmidt has been criticised by fans for not apologising after Sunday's hammering to Porto.

The German reckons the best way to make amends is by putting in a "complete performance" tonight.

"We want to show a good reaction," he said.

"After the match, we were all a little bit shocked about the result. Of course we were also not happy with the performance."

Image source, SNS

Much has been made about their recent back-to-back defeats, but that can't divert attention away from Benfica's stellar home form.

They haven't lost on their own patch since November, that was against Real Sociedad in the Champions League.

A 13-game unbeaten run has followed.

They have also never lost a home match in the Europa League - played 27, won 21 and drawn six. Yikes.

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland at Estádio da Luz

As I walked around southern Lisbon looking for Rangers fans to give their views, one thing quickly became clear.

They have absolute faith in Philippe Clement as manager. Normally, after a surprise defeat, you'd get the odd dissenter saying 'that's not good enough.' Not one.

He has transformed an edgy, nervy support into one that sees his approach is developing this squad and delivering consistently.

They know tonight will be tough but seemed to believe they're in with a real shout. Quite different to six months or so ago under the previous manager.

Don't ask big Phil about playing for draws. The Rangers boss says it's something he's "never" done.

"We come to win," Clement added.

"I don't believe in parking the bus and only defending, I have never done that.

"Whether it was with smaller teams playing in Madrid or Paris against PSG, or playing in Leipzig with Club Brugge - we always attacked to win games."

Image source, SNS

You don't need us to tell you Angel Di Maria is an absolute player.

He's has been involved in nine goals in seven home Europa League appearances for Benfica (four goals, five assists).

The World Cup winner netted a brace against Toulouse in this season's play-off round.

In doing so, he became the oldest Benfica player to score a brace in a major European match at 36.

Steven Thompson
Former Rangers striker on BBC's Scottish Football Podcast

We know Sterling's not a winger or a wide player in terms of a real attacking sense, but maybe it's a good game to play him in that wide area just for a bit more of a defensive-minded player.

He's obviously very physical as well, very athletic, so maybe his legs will be required.

Image source, SNS

Feels like quite a while ago now, doesn't it?

Three months have past since Rangers last kicked a ball in the Europa League.

That huge win away to Real Betis meant they topped their group, bypassing a play-off round to take their place in the last 16.

Their reward is Champions League dropouts Benfica, who beat Toulouse in that play-off round last month to get to this stage.

If we get a repeat of the meetings between these two a few years back, we're in for a treat.

Across their two games in the 2020-21 Europa League groups, there were 10 goals.

A 3-3 draw in Lisbon was followed by a 2-2 at Ibrox. Rangers let a two-goal lead slip in both of those.

In the height of lockdown as well. Refuse to believe that was four years ago.

Liam McLeod
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, Getty Images

When you think Benfica, you think Eusebio.

One of the greatest footballers the world has seen, Benfica supporters had the privilege of watching him score more goals than the number of games he played in for the club.

His incredible haul of 473 goals in 440 appearances will surely never be beaten.

Legend has it Eusebio had a soft spot for Rangers after meeting and going on to become good mates with Ibrox legend Willie Henderson.

The pair met in 1964 as part of a 'Rest of the World' select for a friendly in Denmark and were close up until Eusebio's death just over a decade ago.

Now, in 2024, the pair's former sides meet in what is their most high-profile meeting so far.

Click here to read Liam's pre-match preview in full.

Richard Martin
BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

In the past decade, Benfica have brought in an estimated £1.14bn in transfers.

Just, wow.

Enzo Fernandez, Darwin Nunez, Joao Felix, Ruben Diaz, Ederson. The list goes on.

BBC Sport's Richard Martin took a deep dive into the club's money-printing machine - and you can read all about it here.

Image source, SNS

Benfica, reigning Portuguese champions, come into the tie having lost back-to-back matches for the first time this season.

They exited the cup at the hands of Sporting last Thursday before being humbled 5-0 by fellow city rivals Porto on Sunday. Ouch.

It was only their second league defeat of the season, but it allowed Sporting to take over at the top. Double ouch.

They have just the two World Cup winners in their ranks in the form of Argentina duo Nicolas Otamendi and Angel di Maria, while forward Rafa Silva has 17 goals this season. The trio all start.

Also starting are centre-back Antonio Silva, who is only 20 but has already played for Portugal seven times, and 19-year-old midfielder Joao Neves, who has also broken into the national side.

Turkish midfielder Orkun Kokcu, who arrived for a club record £25m from Feyenoord in pre-season, is on the bench.

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland at Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica

What a superb environment for a European night this is.

The climb to the very top of this stand had many a Scottish journalist toiling by the end and Rangers face a similar challenge, likely needing to scale the heights of their performance levels to leave with something positive.

Benfica have never lost a Europa League home match here. Their domestic form has stalled but they possess numerous weapons in their squad.

Rangers, though, have shown in recent years that this sort of challenge is one they can come through. They need a big performance before the Ibrox return next week.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, SNS

Estadio da Luz. Some gaff, eh?

Almost 65,000 can squeeze into this ground, which hosted the Euro 2004 and 2014 Champions League finals.

About 3,000 of tonight's attendance will be Rangers fans.

Gonna guess it'll be noisy.

BBC Radio Scotland Extra

Why not listen along with the Sportsound squad tonight?

You can do that by clicking the play button at the top of this page or tuning in on BBC Radio Scotland Extra.

The team will provide live match commentary from Lisbon.

Philippe Clement makes two changes to his Rangers side following the shock defeat to Motherwell on Saturday.

One is in midfield as Nico Raskin drops to the bench for Tom Lawrence.

The second and final switch is in attack, with Fabio Silva replacing Ross McCausland, who is fit enough for the bench.

Image source, SNS

Benfica: Trubin, Bah, A Silva, Otamendi, Aursnes, Neves, Florentino, R Silva, Neres, Di Maria, Cabral.

Substitutes: Soares, Gomes, Carreras, Morato, Kokcu, Tengstedt, Mario, Rollheiser, Leonardo, Araujo, Gouveia, Spencer.

Rangers: Butland, Tavernier, Goldson, Souttar, Yilmaz, Lundstram, Diomande, Lawrence, Sterling, Dessers, Silva.

Substitutes: McCrorie, K Wright, Jack, Roofe, Davies, Barisic, King, Raskin, McCausland, Yfeko, Fraser, McKinnon.

Image source, SNS

Saturday still too fresh in the memory, Gers fans?

No time to dwell, your team have a big, big game tonight against top opposition as Benfica await in Lisbon.

A tough assignment for sure, but there's just something about Rangers in this competition...