AEK vs Rayo Vallecano: should we expect a comeback from AEK?
AEK and Rayo Vallecano will meet in the UEFA Europa Conference League quarter-final on Thursday, April 17, with kick-off scheduled for 21:00 CET. I’m offering a betting tip for this match.
AEK vs Rayo Vallecano: match facts and head-to-head
- The first meeting between these sides ended in a 3–0 victory for Rayo Vallecano.
- In their last four matches, AEK have recorded two wins and two defeats.
- At home, AEK have lost just once in their last six matches.
- Rayo Vallecano have also won twice and lost twice in their last four outings.
- Away from home, Rayo have lost their previous two matches and have won only once in their last eight.
- AEK have kept clean sheets in 49% of their matches this season, while Rayo have done so in 24%.
- Rayo have failed to score in 25% of their matches this season, compared to 11% for AEK.
- This is only the second meeting between these teams in history.
AEK vs Rayo Vallecano: match preview
The first leg turned into a rout. Playing at home, Rayo scored three goals against the Greek side without conceding. A commanding victory in the first match has given them a strong chance of reaching the Europa Conference League semi-finals.
AEK did not play over the weekend and have been fully focused on preparing for this clash. After this match, they will face PAOK at the weekend. The Greek side currently sit top of the table, five points clear of PAOK, placing them in a crucial stage of the season with a real opportunity to secure the title.
Rayo Vallecano built a solid advantage in the first leg of the quarter-final, but suffered a heavy 3–0 defeat to Mallorca over the weekend. In the league, they sit 13th in the table with 35 points after 31 matches. They are just three points above the relegation zone, meaning their fate this season is still far from decided.
Probable line-ups
- AEK Athens: Strakosha; Rota, Moukoudi, Relvas; Pilios; Koita, Pineda, Marin, Pereyra; Gacinovic; Varga
- Rayo Vallecano: Batalla; Ratiu, Lejeune, Felipe, Chavarria; Lopez, Ciss; Akhomach, Palazon, Garcia; De Frutos
Prediction
AEK will have to attack and push for victory, but Rayo Vallecano are capable of finding their moment and getting on the scoresheet. The suggested bet is that both teams will score in this match.
