Porto vs Rangers Prediction 29.01.2026 | UEFA Europa League

Under the tactical guidance of the young and progressive Francesco Farioli, the Dragons have undergone a genuine renaissance, embracing a structured, possession-based philosophy that has seen them dominate domestically while also making a strong impression on the continental stage.

Porto are marching confidently toward the Primeira Liga title, sitting proudly at the summit with an outstanding record of 18 wins and one draw. Their European campaign has also been largely convincing, as they currently occupy ninth place with 14 points and will need to claim maximum points on the final matchday to break into the top eight of the league phase.

A slight blip in the form of a frustrating 1-1 draw against Viktoria Plzen last time out has done little to dampen the mood at the Estádio do Dragão. Porto have been formidable on home soil, recording an impressive 13 victories from their last 15 home matches across all competitions, reinforcing their status as a dominant force in front of their own supporters.

On the injury front, key centre-back Nehuen Perez is sidelined until April after rupturing his Achilles tendon, while veteran striker Luuk de Jong continues to recover from a knee injury and remains unavailable for selection.

Despite a recent upturn in their domestic fortunes, Rangers find themselves in a dire position in the UEFA Europa League, having already been writen off from contention in the league phase after collecting a disappointing four points from seven matches.

German tactician Danny Rohl has revitalized his side on the domestic front, guiding them to an impressive run of eight consecutive victories across all competitions. That resurgence also included a crucial 1-0 win over Ludogorets Razgrad in their most recent European outing, which marked their first victory of the continental campaign.

However, a trip to the Estadio do Dragão represents a formidable challenge. Rangers’ European journey has been undermined by a fragile defensive record, conceding an average of 1.58 goals per game in the competition, while losing all three away fixtures and shipping seven goals in the process.

Unlike their midweek opponents, Rohl faces this encounter with a lengthy injury list. Defensive duo Derek Cornelius and Dujon Sterling are confirmed absentees, joined on the sidelines by midfielders Connor Barron and Nedim Bajrami — further complicating an already demanding assignment.