Porto vs Rangers Prediction: Samu set to shine for hosts

Rangers are playing for nothing but pride when they travel to Estadio do Dragao on Thursday night to face Porto in the final league phase Europa League fixture on Thursday night (20:00 GMT, live on TNT Sports 5).

The hosts are pushing for a top-eight finish but currently find themselves outside the places due to goal difference. Read on for my Porto vs Rangers predictions as well as the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Luuk de Jong and Nehuen Perez are both doubts for the hosts due to injury, but that apart Porto should be at full strength heading into this contest.

After enjoying a 3-0 victory over Gil Vicente on Monday, Francesco Farioli may opt to name an unchanged starting XI.

As for the visitors, Bailey Rice, Connor Barron, Derek Cornelius, Dujon Sterling and John Souttar are set to be sidelined and January signings Andreas Skov Olsen and Tochi Chukwuani will also miss out due to not being registered in the squad.

Porto vs Rangers Odds

The hosts are 1/4, giving them an implied win probability of 80%, the draw is 5/1 and Rangers are 10/1 to claim all three points.

Both teams to score is 11/10 and over 2.5 goals is available at 4/7.

Porto to win to nil @ 9/10

As mentioned in the introduction, the hosts are hoping to secure a top-eight spot on Thursday night, and with Rangers already eliminated from the knockout stages, I can see this contest being all in Porto's favour.

The Gers have only won one of their seven matches so far in the competition, and the hosts are unbeaten in their last 11 outings, winning 10 of them - including six on the bounce at home.

Of their last 10 fixtures, Porto have won seven to nil, so let's back the same outcome once again on Thursday night.

Samu Aghehowa to score first @ 9/4

Samu Aghehowa has been prolific for Porto this term, netting his 16th league goal of the campaign in the 3-0 win over Gil Vicente on Monday night.

The Spaniard has netted 20 goals across all competitions, scoring eight in his last nine appearances - including a brace in the his last home Europa League outing against Malmo.

The 21-year-old is 8/13 to score anytime, so for further value, I'm going to back Aghehowa to strike first on Thursday at 9/4.

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