Four months on from their historic 3-2 win away at Real Betis, Rangers return to Europa League action this evening against Benfica.

Philippe Clement has limited options due to injury as his team look to bounce back from a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Motherwell last Saturday. Benfica also approach the game on the back of a defeat - they lost 5-0 against Porto on Sunday.

What starting 11 will Clement opt for? Our writers have their say below...

Chris Jack

The Ibrox injury curse has struck once again and Philippe Clement is counting the cost of a lengthy list of absentees. The Belgian has another puzzle to solve as he seeks to overcome Benfica without damaging Rangers’ Scottish Cup and Premiership aspirations. It would be quite the feat if he could pull it off.

The back five didn’t exactly cover themselves in glory in the defeat to Motherwell but it still picks itself in Lisbon. The only decision to be made is between John Souttar and Leon Balogun and it would be a surprise if the Nigerian comes back into the side after a month out of it.

Ahead of them, Clement would surely have liked the option of utilising Dujon Sterling alongside John Lundstram. The Ibrox utility man will be needed further forward, though, so either Mohamed Diomande or Tom Lawrence will take that role. The other will then play higher, if possible, with Sterling and Scott Wright on either side. Todd Cantwell continues to be a real miss.

It is not worth risking Ross McCausland at a time when Abdallah Sima, Rabbi Matondo and Oscar Cortes are crocked. Likewise, it would be a bold move to start Fabio Silva and Cyriel Dessers given the doubts over Kemar Roofe’s robustness. Clement is out to win the tie but he can’t be too adventurous in terms of tactics or personnel in Lisbon.

Analysing Benfica: Individual quality, a narrow attack and a clear weakness to attack

Joshua Barrie

Clement hinted, on multiple occasions, at the potential of a shape change in Lisbon, saying: "It is a challenge. As a coach you need to see do you stick to the same system or do you change? I need to think about that."

The problem? He doesn't seem to have three fully fit centre-backs, nor the strength in depth up top, to switch to a 3-5-2. Clement needs to keep one of Cyriel Dessers and Fabio Silva fresh, while Ben Davies hasn't started a game this year. Moving Dujon Sterling or John Lundstram back a line is possible but surely you want their energy higher up the pitch instead of committing them to the defence and conceding the territory to Benfica while changing the overall pressing structure? Moreover, Clement will want to create two-vs-ones against Benfica full-backs even if options on the wing are weak.

With that in mind, expect Clement to find imperfect solutions on each wing. Nico Raskin could well miss out in place of Ryan Jack with neither having played many match minutes of late, Sterling may start on the left to counteract the threat of Angel Di Maria and Clement will hope Ross McCausland is fit enough to play from the start. Returning to his home country, expect Silva to start from the off.