Any potential silverware opportunities for Rangers are slowly slipping away from them. This time last week they were looking to start a solid cup run in the Europa League in an attempt to keep confidence up and were preparing themselves for the weekend’s Old Firm fixture – a match that was built up to be the match for the Scottish title.
But, just a week later, the Gers lie eight points behind their bitter rivals Celtic in the league table as they lost to the Bhoys 3-0 at Celtic Park with a performance that manager Walter Smith has described as Rangers’ worst under his guidance. They appear to be on the brink of European elimination too as Sporting take an advantage – albeit, a slim one – into the return leg at the Jose Alvalade after last Thursday’s 1-1 draw at Ibrox.
However, the task ahead of Rangers in Europe certainly isn’t as daunting as their task on the domestic front as Sporting are by no-means anything close to the side they once were, and if a positive result is acquired, it could serve as the confidence boost needed to get back on track in the league.
Domestically, Sporting lie in third, 23 points behind table-toppers FC Porto after a 2-0 home defeat to bitter city rivals Benfica on Monday, as a goal each from Argentinians Eduardo Salvio and Nicolas Gaitan condemned Paulo Sergio’s side to their fifth league defeat of the season.
But the 2005 Uefa Cup finalists will be confident of progressing after snatching a late equaliser at Ibrox as little Mati Fernandez headed in after 89 minutes, therefore the Portuguese take what could be a vital away-goal into the tie.
Happy Hunting Ground
The Scottish side will definitely take heart from their last visit to the Jose Alvalade stadium, as on their run to the 2008 Uefa Cup final, Rangers beat Sporting in Lisbon 2-0 with goals from Jean-Claude Darcheville and Steven Whittaker after drawing the first-leg at Ibrox, the score that time being 0-0.
Although Rangers ended up losing in the final of that competition to Zenit St Petersburg, there is absolutely no doubt that the Gers would rather have lost the final than not been there at all, something that their fans would be very grateful for once again, and so far, the omens don’t look too discouraging.
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Sporting
The Portuguese side are still likely to be without Russian midfielder Marat Izmailov who continues to be sidelined along with Jaime Valdes and Simon Vuckevic, however Argentine defender Leandro Grimi – who missed the first leg – could feature after starting Monday’s Lisbon derby against Benfica.
Possible starting XI: Rui Patricio; Joao Pereira, Anderson Polga, Daniel Carrico, Leandro Grimi; Maniche, Pedro Mendes, Mati Fernandez; Yannick Djalo, Helder Postiga, Cristiano.
Rangers
The Scots will be without Steven Naismith – who was withdrawn with an injury during the Old Firm match at the weekend – and youngster Jamie Ness for this vital away-tie.
Added to that, Lee McCulloch will be out for around another two months after having surgery on his knee last week, whilst Kirk Broadfoot will sit out due to an injured foot and striker Nikica Jelavic is cup-tied after already playing in the competition for Rapid Vienna. Midfielder Kyle Hutton is also a doubt for the match due to illness.
Possible starting XI: McGregor; Whittaker, Weir, Bougherra, Papac; Diouf, Davis, Bartley, Edu, Weiss; Lafferty.
Prediction
I certainly do not anticipate a high scoring game at the Jose Alvalade as neither of these two sides have front men that fill me with a massive amount of confidence in terms of scoring a hat-full of goals, therefore on that basis I believe the match will be close. However, after their last-gasp equaliser, I see Sporting progressing to the next round with a narrow 1-0 win.
Sporting 1-0 Rangers 
