Rangers vs Real Betis predicted teams: Sima and Matondo to start

Rangers are in Europa League action tonight against Real Betis, with their future in the competition hanging in the balance. 

Any victory would secure their spot in the knockout stage for the following season, but if things don’t work out, the Ibrox might be demoted to the Europa Conference League.

With the League Cup Final against Aberdeen on Sunday also on the schedule, whose team will Philipp Clement choose? Below, our writers share their opinions.

Chris Jack
As he must, Philippe Clement will concentrate on those who are accessible rather than those who are not when he returns to Seville. Still, it is difficult to avoid talking about the long list of walking wounded.

Leon Balogun and Ridvan Yilmaz’s unavailability mean that Clement will only have to solve the Europa League puzzle once this term during the match against Real Betis. With the exception of Connor Goldson’s partner, the back five choose themselves. There is a 50/50 call between Ben Davies and John Souttar.

John Lundstram begins ahead of them based on his form and health, and Jose Cifuentes should start because he is currently suspended for Aberdeen’s League Cup final. Of course, Clement’s options are a little bit limited here.

Rangers might respond fast against a Betis team that is expected to control the ball tonight evening if they paired the dynamic Abdallah Sima with Rabbi Matondo on the opposite flank. Todd Cantwell is expected to replace Sam Lammers, who has not traveled because of personal matters.

Through the middle, Cyriel Dessers is the only choice. It could be a long, frustrating night for the Nigerian.

Joshua Barrie Clement’s options are once again restricted, and while he needs to focus on the Aberdeen match on Sunday, rotation from the previous weekend indicates there won’t be much of a break between the next two games.

The author anticipates Ben Davies to replace Leon Balogun, not Ben Davies in the European team. This season, Davies has played some of his greatest football in Europe, displaying an aptitude for reading games that are played more often on the ground than in the air.

Moving forward, Jose Cifuentes ought to be beside Lundstram this evening even though he might be suspended for the League Cup Final on Sunday. It will be the same double pivot that started last Saturday’s match with Dundee, unless Clement wants to attempt whatever solution he’s planned in the middle of the park tonight.

Every time Ross McCausland has set foot on the field so far, this team has gotten better. Expect him to play behind the striker, with Sam Lammers replacing Cantwell and Sima on the left.