The first game between the two most evenly matched teams in the Europa League quarter-finals will take place on Portuguese soil. The hosts beat Tiraspol's Sheriff, who were eliminated from the Champions League, as well as Monaco (3-1) on their way to such a high stage of the tournament. Rangers had an even more glorious way, beating Borussia Dortmund and Crvena Zvezda.

The last time Braga made the Europa League play-offs was more than ten years ago, and they hope to repeat that achievement. The Portuguese club's success in earlier stages of the tournament was based on those home games that ended in 2-0 victories. In the last two months, Braga have been playing quite confidently. Since 20th February this year, the team have won five matches, drawn three times and lost only to Gil Vicente, whom they played a few days before the return leg against Monaco. Braga's fourth position in the league will certainly ensure their participation in the 2022/2023 European Cup season, but winning the Europa League will allow them to play in the Champions League instead of the Conference League. The upcoming game may be even more important for Braga than the victory over Benfica the other day.

Rangers do not appear to be in the best frame of mind when it comes to this match in Portugal. They lost their home game against Celtic on Sunday, leaving them six points behind their arch-rivals. Given the recent defeat against Crvena Zvezda in Serbia and the tough win over Dundee, there are questions about the form of van Bronckhorst's charges.

The opponents met each other in the Europa League play-offs just two years ago. The Scottish side won both meetings, winning 3-2 at home and winning 1-0 away. Despite these statistics, Braga are now a formidable force at home. The Portuguese certainly won't go on the attack from the opening minutes, but they will certainly try to take possession of the ball. Rangers failed to win four of their five away matches in the regular season. Nor will they be able to do so this Thursday.