Rangers are set to welcome Benfica in the Europa League Round of 16 and we’ve got some returning surprises in our predicted XI.

The Gers head into the clash at a sold-out Ibrox with the game neatly poised at 2-2 having shown themselves more than capable of going toe-to-toe with the Portuguese.

Rangers have also proven themselves more than capable of reaching the Europa League Final having done so only two years ago in Seville.

Benfica – who dropped out of this season’s Champions League – certainly represent stiff competition and here we go inside the mind of Philippe Clement ahead with a predicted XI ahead of the game.

Rangers welcome Benfica in Europa League

Rangers’ back five as of late has had an increasingly settled look with Jack Butland – who is awaiting news on an England call-up – the bonafide number one.

James Tavernier and Connor Goldson are without a doubt two of the first names on the team sheet, whilst John Souttar has emerged as the Rangers vice-captain’s first-choice partner.

At left-back, the emergence of Ridvan Yilmaz has come with Borna Barisic reportedly close to sealing an end of season exit.

In the middle of the park, John Lundstram is perhaps the first outfield name on the team sheet at present whilst the talented Mohamed Diomande isn’t far off him.

Ahead of the game, Todd Cantwell, 26, has also trained and we are banking on the attacking midfielder to start with Tom Lawrence primed to make an impression from the bench.

In the final third, former Benfica youth Fabio Silva has been impressing off the left in recent matches with Cyriel Dessers set to continue leading the line.

Off the right, we’re tipping 23-year-old Rabbi Matondo to come in after returning v Hibs with injuries to Dujon Sterling and Ross McCausland raising major doubts over their involvement.

Rangers predicted XI v Benfica – 4-2-3-1

GK – Jack Butland

DR – James Tavernier

DC – Connor Goldson

DC – John Souttar

DL – Ridvan Yilmaz

CDM – John Lundstram

CDM – Mohamed Diomande

RW – Rabbi Matondo

CAM – Todd Cantwell

LW – Fabio Silva

ST – Cyriel Dessers