RANGERS will return to Europa League action on Thursday night knowing that victory over Benfica could be enough to earn them a place in the knockout rounds for the second consecutive season.
Steven Gerrard's side squandered a two-goal lead in Portugal last time out as Benfica left it late to earn a Group D draw. Now the top two teams in the section go head-to-head at Ibrox on Matchday Four.
Rangers head into the fixture top of the Premiership and in fine form thanks to their 4-0 win over Aberdeen. Here is now their Europa League rivals fared domestically at the weekend.
Paredes 0-1 Benfica
Boss Jorge Jesus rested his key men ahead of the trip to Ibrox but was still able to secure a Portuguese Cup third round win. Greek midfielder Andreas Samaris netted the only goal of the game to earn a narrow victory on Saturday.
Benfica have slipped to third spot in the Primeira Liga in recent weeks and are now four points adrift of Sporting in the title race as they also set their sights on a Europa knockout spot this week.
League position: 3rd
Form: W L D L W
Standard Liege 2-2 Eupen
It remains tight at the top in Belgium and Standard were left to rue two dropped points at home as they required a last minute equaliser to avoid defeat.
Merveille Bokadi opened the scoring after 35 minutes. But the lead only lasted seconds as Smail Prevljak netted for the visitors and Eden Shamir would pick up two bookings in quick succession as he was sent off before the break.
Arnaud Bodart rescued Philippe Montanier's side as he cancelled out a strike from Stef Peeters at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne to leave Liege three points off league leaders Club Brugge.
League position: 5th
Form: L W L D D
Lech Poznan 3-3 Rakow Czestochowa
The Poles will make the trip to Liege on Thursday aiming to give their own qualification hopes another boost but there was more Ekstraklasa frustration at the weekend as two points were dropped.
Poznan found themselves two down after 32 minutes before Mikael Ishak scored and they were level when Jakub Moder converted from the penalty spot. Dani Ramirez completed the comeback to put the hosts ahead but a last minute equaliser denied them a crucial win.
League position: 10th
Form: L W W L D
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