Rangers vs Real Betis LIVE: Europa League team news, line-ups and latest updates

On many levels, clubs like Real Madrid and Rangers exist and operate in different spheres. But what they share, through being two of European football’s great old clubs, is the belief they belong on stages such as these.

For Rangers, this central character complex survived even when they were demoted down to the fourth tier of Scottish football.

More on Rangers’ 2022 Europa League run:

Rangers’ Europa League campaign will get underway shortly against Spanish side Real Betis, with it being only 10 minutes until kick-off.

Both sides have struggled for consistency so far this season, although Betis have the far poorer defensive record having conceded ten goals from their opening five games in La Liga.

This one feels like it could have a few goals in it.

Former Manchester City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo does indeed take the place of the injured Rui Silva tonight.

It will be the 40 year-old’s first appearance of the season tonight.

Pellegrini was uncertain whether he would be able to select his second-choice goalkeeper before the match, and may have had to rely on third-choice Francisco Vieites who has very limited experience at the top level.

Rangers are unbeaten in their last six matches at The Ibrox in the Europa League.

The Scottish side have only lost three games at home in the competition since it was renamed in 2009.

They’ll be hoping to keep this streak going against Betis tonight as the Europa League group stages get underway.

Betis XI: Bravo, Bellerin, Pezzella, Bartra, Abner, Rodriguez, Marc Roca, Luiz Henrique, Isco, Ez Abde, Iglesias

Michael Beale’s Rangers side were booed following a 1-0 defeat at home against Old Firm rivals Celtic.

The start of the season hasn’t been ideal for Beale, who are already four points behind their Glasgow rivals after also losing to Kilmarnock.

Real Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini said he understood what Scottish football was about when discussing tonight’s fixture.

The veteran manager said: “I think I have a very good idea of what Scottish football is. It is about passion, direct football, fighting for every goal, trying to go box to box as quickly as they can.

“The intensity of the game is maybe not the same as Spain but it is something we must consider tomorrow because in 95 minutes they play 100 per cent, technical and physical.

“I had the chance to come here not only as a manager and I also came to watch Celtic v Rangers when I was in England as a coach. It is great football with great fans.”

Michael Beales makes several changes to his side which beat St. Johnstone last weekend.

Borna Barišić comes in at left-back for Ridvan Yilmaz, and José Cifuentes replaces the injured Nicholas Raskin.

Rabbi Matondo and Abdallah Sima replace Sam Lammers and Danilo going forward.

Rangers XI: Butland, Tavernier (C), Goldson, Davies, Barisic, Lundstram, Cifuentes, Lawrence, Matondo, Sima, Roofe

Rangers are without midfielders Todd Cantwell and Nicolas Raskin, while Kieran Dowell is out with a knee injury and Steven Davis hasn’t yet recovered from a cruciate ligament injury.

Striker Danilo will also not feature following surgery on a fractured cheekbone.

Real Betis face problems in the goal-keeping department after Rui Silva was forced off in his side’s 5-0 defeat to Barcelona last weekend, with Claudio Bravo an uncertainty for the Spanish side.

Manager Manuel Pelligrini said pre-match he was hopeful the 40-year-old would be able to start after returning to training, but the Chilean may be forced to play third-choice Francisco Vietes who only made his top-division debut in the drumming against Barça.