Rangers vs Real Betis predictions: Expect another lively European night at Ibrox
- Rangers have scored at least twice in their last six home Europa League matches
- Six of Real Betis's last 12 away league games have featured over 3.5 goals
- Recommended bet: Over 3.5 goals at 9/4
Rangers missed out on a place in the Champions League group stage after a 7-3 aggregate playoff defeat to PSV Eindhoven, but they made a memorable run to the final of the Europa League in 2021-22.
The Gers lost on penalties to Eintracht Frankfurt in the final, having knocked out Borussia Dortmund, Red Star Belgrade, Braga and RB Leipzig, and they were outstanding at Ibrox during that run.
They face a Real Betis side, managed by former Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini, who finished sixth in LaLiga last term, but lost 5-1 on aggregate to Manchester United in the Europa League last-16.
Team news
Rangers forward Danilo suffered a fractured cheekbone at the weekend and he joins Todd Cantwell and Steven Davies on the sidelines. Cyril Dessers is likely to start up front in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Real Betis goalkeeper Rui Silva is injured, so veteran Claudio Bravo is set to deputise.
Midfielders Andrés Guardado (ankle), William Carvalho (thigh) and Aitor Ruibal (appendicitis) will be assessed after returning to training, but Nabil Fekir and Youssouf Sabaly are sidelined.
The stats
Both teams scored in all four of Rangers' Champions League qualifying ties this season.
Rangers have scored at least twice in their last six home Europa League matches.
The Gers have kept only one clean sheet in their last 10 Europa League games.
Real Betis have conceded 10 goals in three away matches in LaLiga this season.
Betis's last seven away wins in LaLiga were all by a one-goal margin.
Six of Real Betis' last 12 away league games have featured over 3.5 goals.
Prediction
Rangers boss Michael Beale is under pressure after their Champions League play-off defeat to PSV and a 1-0 home loss to Celtic in the first Old Firm derby of the season.
However, Beale knows he has the players to trouble the Betis defence and over 3.5 goals looks a good bet in the Group C opener at Ibrox.
Rangers missed plenty of chances in their 2-1 home win over Servette in Champions League qualifying this season, before a 2-2 draw in the first leg of their tie against PSV.
Three of their four league meetings with Celtic last season produced over 3.5 goals and the other was a 3-0 win for Rangers in May.
Betis, for whom 40-year-old goalkeeper Bravo could make his first appearance of the season, lost 5-0 at Barcelona last weekend.
In their previous away game in LaLiga, they went down 4-2 to Athletic Bilbao despite taking a 2-0 lead inside the first 10 minutes so a high-scoring encounter is expected on Thursday.
Win up to £250,000 with LiveScore 6!
Win up to £250,000 with our free-to-play game, LiveScore 6!
