Real Betis host Rangers at Estadio Benito Villamarin in a blockbuster concluding Group C clash in 2023-24 UEFA Europa League.
Real Betis will secure a top-two finish if they avoid defeat and Sparta Prague lose to Aris Limassol, although victory or a draw coupled with Sparta winning by two goals or less would see Betis top the group.
Rangers will top the group with a win but a draw would be enough for them to advance if Sparta don’t beat Aris Limassol.
Team News
Guido Rodriguez is suspended for Real Betis after he picked up his third booking in the group phase during their loss at Sparta Prague.
Claudio Bravo, William Carvalho (both hamstring), Youssouf Sabaly (knee) and Marc Bartra (Achillees) remain absent.
Rangers have no fresh injury concerns to report after their Scottish Premiership win over Dundee.
Tom Lawrence (muscle), Danilo Pereira (knee), Ryan Jack (unspecified) and Nicolas Raskin (ankle) remain absent
When is Kick-Off?
Real Betis host Rangers at Estadio Benito Villamarin in a 9pm CET (8pm UK Time) kick-off on Thursday 14 December, live on TNT Sport 3 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Real Betis lost their only previous meeting against Rangers in all UEFA competitions, as they lost 1-0 at Ibrox in October 2023.
- Rangers are playing away at Real Betis for the first time in all UEFA competitions.
- Real Betis won their only previous competitive home game against Scottish opposition by 4-3 result against Celtic in September 2021 in the Group Stage of 2021-22 Europa League.
- Rangers are winless in 14 previous away games against Spanish opposition (D3, L11).
Prediction
Having sloppily missed the chance to wrap up their spot in the Round of 16 a fortnight ago, Real Betis now need one last huge home performance in order to wrap up not just qualification but top the group, especially given that they are yet to lose at home this season.
Rangers meanwhile have their fate in their partially in their own hands but must realistically win this game despite their awful away record in Spain, although they are unbeaten in 13 matches now in all competitions so it is vital that they start well and try to score first.
Both teams though will have one eye on Sparta Prague’s game becaue if the Czechs are winning comfortbly come the final half-hour, it will only add more tension to this game and it could boil down to which team lets any nerves creep through into their play.
I therefore wouldn’t be shocked if this is a tight yet cagey battle but Rangers possibly need to score first just to give them that belief, which could then mean that they try to go on the defensive and protect that lead against a fierce Betis attack.
Prediction: Real Betis 1-1 Rangers
Result: Real Betis 2-3 Rangers
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