FC Porto vs Rangers – Match preview and team news | OneFootball

Rangers will face FC Porto on Thursday night in the final Europa League group phase fixture.

Porto currently sit ninth with 14 points, just outside the vital top-eight cutoff and the Portuguese hosts are fighting to secure a place in the top eight and avoid the playoff knockout round. Rangers have been mathematically eliminated with only four points from their seven matches.

FC Porto vs Rangers – Match preview and team news

FC Porto team news

The hosts face a notable injury concern with Diogo Costa suffering from a fever and missing Porto’s final training session ahead of the match. The 26-year-old is doubtful for Thursday’s clash, which would be a significant blow to Porto’s plans.

Claudia Ramos will start in case Costa do not recover in time. Luuk de Jong and Nehuén Pérez are also unavailable due to injury issues. Additionally, Thiago Silva, the legendary Brazilian defender who joined the club this month, is ineligible for the Europa League league phase as he was not registered before the competition’s deadline.

Despite these setbacks, Francesco Farioli confirmed the team’s readiness, stating: “The spirit is there, but we can still improve.” Following Porto’s 3-0 victory over Gil Vicente on January 26, 2026, Farioli praised his team’s mentality, noting they had grown into the match after an initial spell and created good opportunities.

Rangers team news

The Gers will be without Connor Barron, Bailey Rice, and Derek Cornelius through injuries, while John Souttar carries a knock and has not made the trip to Portugal. Dujon Sterling, recovering from a muscle injury, will train on Thursday but has also not traveled to Portugal.

Striker Danilo is absent due to personal reasons as his partner is expecting a child. Notably, January signings Andreas Skov Olsen, Tochi Chukwuani, and Tuur Rommens are ineligible to play as they have not been registered in the Europa League squad.

Head coach Danny Rohl has emphasised the importance of maintaining Rangers’ winning mentality, stating: “We need to be organised. Rohl confirmed that while player rotation is on the agenda, the squad is eager to compete against Porto’s formidable opposition.

Form

FC Porto

FC Porto have been in exceptional form, winning 10 of their last 11 matches and drawing one across all competitions. In the Primeira Liga, they maintain an imperious defensive record, conceding only four goals in 19 fixtures this season.

In the Europa League specifically, they have won all three home matches without conceding, displaying a 100% home record. Their latest result saw them dispatch Gil Vicente 3-0 on January 26, with Samuel Aghehowa continuing his good run of form after scoring the penalty.

Rangers

Rangers have demonstrated a remarkable turnaround in form, winning their last eight consecutive matches across all competitions. This resurgence has propelled them to second in the Scottish Premiership, just four points behind leaders Hearts. The Gers defeated Dundee 3-0 on January 26.

However, their European campaign has been disappointing, with elimination already confirmed. Rangers have lost all three of their away matches in the Europa League this season, a concerning statistic ahead of their trip to Portugal.

Predicted lineups

FC Porto: Costa; Costa, Bednarek, Kiwior, Fernandes; Froholdt, Rosario, Veiga; Pepe, Aghehowa, Sainz

Rangers: Butland; Tavernier, Djiga, Fernandez, Meghoma; Raskin, Diomande; Gassama, Aasgaard, Moore; Miovski

How to watch FC Porto vs Rangers?

TNT Sports 5 will show the match live for fans in the United Kingdom.

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