Real Betis vs Rangers predictions: Gers to be squeezed out in Seville
- Rangers have lost four of their last six Europa League away games
- Over 1.5 goals have been scored in six of Real Betis' last seven home Europa League games
- Recommended Bet: Real Betis to win and over 1.5 goals
Top spot in Europa League Group C is up for grabs on Thursday evening when Real Betis entertain Rangers at Estadio Benito Villamarin.
Betis currently hold a one-point advantage over the Light Blues and only need a draw to progress to the knockout stages, but Rangers need to win in Seville to be sure of going through.
Philippe Clement's men face a vastly experienced outfit who are unbeaten at home all season and who came within a whisker of beating Real Madrid on Saturday when Isco's 90th-minute header hit the post in a 1-1 draw.
Team news
Betis have been boosted by the surprising recovery of midfielder William Carvalho, who had been ruled out until the new year due to a hamstring injury. He looks set to play alongside Andreas Guardado in central midfield.
But Brazilian winger Luis Henrique has missed training this week after a brief cameo appearance off the bench against Real Madrid brought on a fresh injury worry.
Manuel Pellegrini is already without the services of French playmaker Nabil Fekir, Spanish defender Marc Bartra, Chilean keeper Claudio Bravo, and Senegalese right-back Youssouf Sabaly through injury, while Argentinian midfielder Guido Rodríguez serves a suspension.
As for Rangers, forward Danilo, winger Tom Lawrence and midfielder Nicolas Raskin remain on the sidelines with long-term injury issues.
Cyriel Dessers looks set to start up front again after scoring in the 3-1 win over Dundee at the weekend, while Ross McCausland's impressive second-half showing against Aris Limassol last month could also earn the youngster a start in Spain.
The stats
Betis have qualified for three consecutive European campaigns for the first time in their history, reaching the round of 16 in each of their last two Europa League seasons.
Rangers reached the round of 16 stage on the last two occasions they appeared in the group stage of the tournament.
The Light Blues' 1-0 win over Betis in September was the club's first-ever against a La Liga opponent in European competition, having drawn seven and lost eight of their previous 15 games against Spanish clubs.
Rangers hit the woodwork twice in that opening fixture of the group, firing in 18 total shots to Betis' 11 and earning nine corners to the visitors' seven.
Prediction
Rangers matched up well against Betis at Ibrox, thoroughly deserving the win, but there is no getting over their horrible recent record when travelling on the continent.
The Glasgow giants' sole victory in their last 12 Europa League road trips came like a bolt from the blue in Dortmund two years ago.
They have been unable to replicate that performance since and now come up against a very good home team with the form and motivation to knock them out.
Betis are desperate to emulate the success of city rivals Sevilla in this competition and should pull out all the stops for victory by grabbing more than one goal on the night.
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