Rangers are preparing to learn their Europa League fate with a decisive clash against Real Betis in Spain.
The Gers fluffed their lines against Cypriot underdogs Aris Limassol on matchday five, with that 1-1 draw at Ibrox leaving everything a little up in the air in Europa League Group C.
Whilst Europa Conference League football has been guaranteed beyond Christmas, Rangers fans have gotten used to deep forays into the Europa League.
If Sparta Prague should defeat Aris Limassol then Rangers will need to defeat Real Betis, no mean feat given the Spanish side are undefeated at home this season.
Here’s our preview for the match.
Injury and absence affecting both sides
Rangers fans are well used to their seeing a patchwork squad represent them given the last few seasons have been dominated by a succession of injury issues.
This campaign has been no different with Philippe Clement – metaphorically speaking of course – pulling his hair out by the press conference due to the ongoing problems.
As Rangers look to amend the situation there are several high profile absences with Ryan Jack, Nicolas Raskin, Tom Lawrence and long-term absentee Danilo topping the list.
Influential playmaker Todd Cantwell has been left behind due to a personal issue whilst Leon Balogun, Kieran Dowell, and Ridvan Yilmaz have not been included in Rangers’ UEFA Europa League squad.
Real Betis have plenty of issues of their own, with no fewer than six established internationals with over 320 caps between them ruled out between injury and suspension.
This includes French World Cup Winner Nabil Fekir, Portuguese international midfielder William Carvalho and Argentine World Cup hero Guido Rodriguez.
What the managers have said
Philippe Clement: “How many home games did they lose this season? (0). So if you say it’s simple, it’s not simple, otherwise teams would’ve done it. Also good teams like Real Madrid, so we have a lot of respect for them but we come here with ambition. It’s an interesting game. It’s a game also where Rangers have nothing to lose. We are in Europe next (year) but we come here with big ambition. We want to make a next step again as a group and I gave several challenges the last couple of weeks and every time, almost every time, they’ve passed that. Now it’s the next challenge, it’s maybe the biggest one until now, so we’re going full for it.”
Manuel Pellegrini: “We expect a Rangers who, as it is a big game, will go out knowing that a draw is of no use to them because they could be knocked out. They are a dangerous team in attack, with a lot of power up front. We have to be very focused on the defensive aspect but while also being the same Betis as always, and going out to win the game.”
The major talking points
The obvious big talking point heading into the game is the absence of Todd Cantwell for Rangers but as previously explained both sides have major issues.
Beyond that, having come out of Pot One in the Europa League groups draw, should Rangers fail to qualify this evening it will be viewed as a failure by those attached to the club.
Whilst the bulk of that will fall on stuttering performances against Aris Limassol – against whom Rangers took one point from six – it has added a little pressure on the squad before the game.
If Rangers defeat Real Betis it guarantees the Gers top spot in the group and means the club will avoid a Champions League drop out playoff in the Europa League knockouts.
If Sparta Prague win then Rangers also must be victorious in order to prevent them slipping into the Europa Conference League in 3rd place.
A draw, or even a defeat, will be enough for Rangers to progress as runners up in the Europa League group underneath Real Betis if Sparta Prague fail to beat Aris Limassol in Cyprus.
Even if the Czechs draw and Rangers lose, the Ibrox side’s head-to-head record against Sparta Prague means the Gers go through.
If Sparta Prague win, Rangers will have to make history by winning in Spain against a Spanish side for the first time in the club’s history, having failed to come home victorious on 12 previous trips to the country.
Rangers predicted XI v Real Betis in Europa League
GK – Jack Butland
DR – James Tavernier
DC – Connor Goldson
DC – Ben Davies
DL – Borna Barisic
CDM – John Lundstram
CDM – Jose Cifuentes
CAM – Sam Lammers
LF – Abdallah Sima
ST – Cyriel Dessers
RF – Rabbi Matondo
Where to watch Rangers Europa League trip to Real Betis
Real Betis v Rangers is set to kick off at 2000GMT or 8PM in the UK with broadcaster TNT Sports set to cover the Europa League clash.
The match will be screened live on TNT Sports 3 which is BT TV channel number 410 and SKY number 874.
