Benfica defeated Glasgow Rangers 1-0 at Ibrox on Thursday night, ending the team’s hopes of qualifying for Europe.
The Light Blues can now just concentrate on domestic issues as a result of the outcome, which may be advantageous given their seemingly never-ending injury list.
Tomorrow afternoon, Philippe Clement will lead his team to Dens Park to play Dundee in their final match before the international break.
Currently sitting in sixth place in the Premiership, the Tayside team is having a respectable season.
Rangers has scored eight goals and let up just one against their next opponents in their past two domestic games this season. A convincing victory would guarantee that the team stays atop of the standings going into the last stretch.
For the trip to Dundee, Clement might make one or two changes to his starting lineup after the European efforts in midweek.
1GK: Jack Butland
The Englishman’s excellent performance in the first leg may have kept the Light Blues in the game, despite his unfortunate failure to retain a perfect record during the week.
His 23 clean sheets in 47 appearances since moving north of the border last summer show what excellent form he has been in. The Gers will be optimistic heading into the international break if he can continue like this tomorrow.
James Tavernier, 2nd Base
This season, the captain has twice scored and assisted in two games against Dundee; however, he was unable to record any points or assists against Benfica.
For tomorrow’s game, this may be encouraging, as Tavernier is more than capable of leading his club to yet another Premiership victory.
3CB Connor Goldson
Like Butland and Tavernier, Goldson is the first name on the team sheet when he’s healthy. In fact, the center back has only missed two league ties this season.
He’s been a bit careless lately and has struggled to handle long balls over the top. Specifically, Aberdeen and Celtic have fully exploited this vulnerability.
4CB John Souttar
Goldson is helping the Scottish defender swiftly establish himself as a dependable core part of the defense. They have a solid relationship.
When Souttar played for Benfica, he was unstoppable. In addition to making seven clearances during the game, the defender also prevailed in five of his seven duels, completed 92% of his passes, and only conceded seven goals.
The former Hearts player will keep playing Dundee after putting on another fantastic display.
5LB – Ridvan Yilmaz
Borna Barisic’s starting position on the left side of the defense has been taken by the Turkish defender, and the Light Blues appear to be a much stronger team as a result.
Yilmaz has made six great chances in the top division this season, averaging 1.7 vital passes per game, and his offensive skills are improving steadily.
John Lundstram, 6CM
Given his performances under Clement, it is most likely a matter of when rather than if Lundstram is able to secure a contract extension.
Since the Belgian took over in mid-October, the midfielder has only missed one game, and the Gers’ recent success has been greatly attributed to his dependability.
The 30-year-old will start against Dundee at the center of the midfield, and if he plays like he is now, the Ibrox team should win easily.
Mohamed Diomande, 7CM
It hasn’t taken the January signing long to get comfortable at Ibrox. With just ten games under his belt, the 22-year-old has already scored twice, and it appears that he has a bright future in the sport.
But he was rather quiet against Benfica, surrendering possession 17 times and winning only two of his nine contested duels. In the last moments of the match, he was replaced by Nico Raskin.
8RW: Scott Wright
The winger surprised everyone by starting against Benfica, and many believed it may be his last opportunity to truly impress Clement.
The Scottish player put on a strong display, winning four of his six ground duels, making one crucial pass, and making three of his five dribbling attempts.
Ross McCausland isn’t yet match fit, therefore Wright will have another opportunity to start tomorrow at Dundee.
Todd Cantwell, 9 a.m.
Although Tom Lawrence hasn’t played poorly lately, Cantwell could return to the starting lineup for tomorrow’s match, and Lawrence may be benched.
The former Norwich City sensation could potentially get crucial minutes if he starts against Dundee after missing the previous five games with a hamstring injury. He came off the bench in midweek.
Rabbi Matondo (10LW)
Oscar Cortes and Abdallah Sima out, Matondo might be selected on the left wing. Former Wales manager Ryan Giggs called the £3 million dynamo “electrifying,” and his pace can pose a serious threat to the Dundee defense.
Matondo has only made 25 appearances this season due to a number of injuries, but he has scored four goals and collected four assists.
There is little doubt that he will be essential to breaking through Dundee’s defense during the match if he can get off to a quick start.
11th place: Fabio Silva
The young player has been successful lately playing on the left wing, but it’s time to use him through the middle after Cyriel Dessers put up yet another subpar showing against Benfica in the middle of the week.
Since joining the Light Blues on a six-month loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers during the winter transfer window, Silva has already scored four goals for the team.
If he puts in a strong performance against Dundee, Clement may be able to use him as a center-forward going forward. He could bring something unique to the position.
Complete predicted starting lineup for Rangers versus Dundee:Wright, AM, Cantwell, LW, Matondo, ST, Silva; GK, Butland; RB, Tavernier; CB, Goldson, CB, Souttar; LB, Yilmaz; CM, Lundstram; CM, Diomande;
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