Rangers vs Real Betis predictions for Thursday’s Europa League affair. Rangers will face Real Betis at Ibrox this Thursday evening in their opening match of the Europa League group stage. This encounter marks the inaugural competitive clash between these teams. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
Match Live Thursday, 21st September at 8:00 pm In:
Rangers vs Real Betis Predictions
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European Ambitions: Rangers and Real Betis Lock Horns in Group C Opener
Key Stats
– Rangers have lost only once at Ibrox since November 2022, showcasing their fortress-like home advantage.
– Willian José, with three goals, leads the scoring charts for Real Betis this season.
Thursday evening is set to witness a captivating encounter as Rangers gear up to face Real Betis at the Ibrox. This marks the first competitive clash between these two footballing sides, both harbouring strong ambitions to climb the ladder in Group C. With the likes of Aris Limassol and Sparta Prague also in contention, the group’s dynamics promise thrilling contests ahead.
Rangers’ European Quest
The hurt from narrowly missing out on Europa League glory still lingers for Rangers even after two years. They showcased tenacity, reaching the finals, only to lose to Eintracht Frankfurt in a heart-wrenching penalty shootout. This setback, combined with a 7-3 aggregate defeat to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League qualification, might have dented their morale. However, Rangers’ spirits remain high, aiming to improve upon last seasons endeavours.
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Domestically, Michael Beale’s boys have found the going tough. A 1-0 loss to arch-rivals Celtic, despite a disallowed goal from Kemar Roofe, underscores their inconsistent form in the Scottish Premiership. However, redemption came in the form of a 2-0 triumph against St Johnstone, with Danilo and Rabbi Matondo ensuring Rangers returned to winning ways.
Real Betis’ European Adventure
The Spanish side, after securing a sixth-place finish in La Liga last season, have returned to the Europa League. Their journey last time saw them sail through the group stage, outpacing formidable sides like AS Roma. However, Manchester United proved a step too far in the round of 16, dispatching Betis with an aggregate score of 5-1. Now, having collected seven points from their initial five La Liga games, Manuel Pellegrini’s squad is hungry for European success. The recent 5-0 loss to Barcelona serves as a timely reminder of the challenges ahead.
Form Guide and Team News
Rangers: W-D-W-L-L-W Real Betis: D-W-D-L-W-L
Rangers will miss Todd Cantwell, sidelined due to a knee injury, and the duo of Steven Davis and Kieran Dowell remain unavailable. The recent injury to Danilo might pave the way for Abdallah Sima in the starting XI.
Betis, too, have their injury concerns. Nabil Fekir, Claudio Bravo, and William Carvalho are all ruled out. Recent injuries to Aitor Ruibal and Rui Silva will likely see Francisco Vieites taking the goalkeeping mantle.
Players to Watch
Rangers have James Tavernier, boasting an impressive BettingTips4You Expert Rating of 7.64, leading their charge. The likes of Borna Barišić and Rabbi Matondo have also been instrumental.
For Betis, Isco remains their standout performer, with a rating of 7.20. Forward Willian José, with three goals this season, will be pivotal in their European aspirations.
Match Predictions
1. A Victory for Rangers
Why Rangers Are Favourites
The upcoming encounter with Real Betis at Ibrox is set to be a fiery one, with Rangers having a point to prove in the Europa League. Rangers’ past performances on their home turf make them a formidable opponent. Celtic, a top-tier side, is the only team to have toppled Rangers at Ibrox since November 2022. The Scottish giants also showcased their resilience in their 2-2 draw against PSV Eindhoven at Ibrox.
Conversely, Real Betis, although being competitive in La Liga, have shown vulnerability in their recent away games. Their defence was brutally exposed with the 5-0 demolition they faced at the hands of Barcelona. Before that, they suffered a 4-2 defeat against Athletic Bilbao. Such defensive woes on the road might give Rangers the edge in this clash.
2. Predicted Scoreline: Rangers 2-1 Real Betis
Decoding The Scoreline
Rangers have consistently found the net at home. With four out of their five competitive home games this season witnessing over 2.5 goals, including both European ties, their attacking prowess is evident. Real Betis has similarly had high-scoring away games, with over 2.5 goals in all of their away games this season, aggregating 14 goals.
But Rangers’ defence, although not impenetrable, has shown more stability at Ibrox. Coupled with Real Betis’s missing key players like Nabil Fekir and Youssouf Sabaly, a 2-1 victory for Rangers seems plausible. This prediction mirrors Rangers’ previous performances, as they’ve secured a 2-1 win in three of their five home games this term.
3. Potential Goalscorer: Rabbi Matondo
Matondo’s Goal-Scoring Instincts
One can’t delve into goal-scoring predictions without discussing the players who’ve made a significant impact so far. Rabbi Matondo stands out from the pack in this regard. The forward has already etched his name on the scoresheet for Rangers this season, showing a knack for being in the right place at the right time.
Moreover, with Danilo, another primary forward for Rangers, facing injury concerns after the weekend game, Matondo’s role becomes even more crucial. With Real Betis showing defensive frailties in their recent away games, Matondo might just be the player to exploit those gaps and register his name amongst the goalscorers once more.
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