Rayo Vallecano vs AEK Athens Predictions

• Rayo Vallecano have won four of their five home Conference League games this season
• AEK Athens have lost seven of their nine previous games on Spanish soil, drawing the other two
• Fewer than three goals have been scored in five of Rayo’s last six and two of AEK’s last three games

Rayo to edge AEK in tight first leg

Rayo Vallecano will bring their usual intensity to Thursday’s Europa Conference League quarter-final first leg against AEK Athens and it should probably give them the edge. Inigo Perez’s side got back to winning ways at the weekend with a 1-0 home win over Elche and will be eager to follow that up against the Greek table-toppers.

Marko Nikolic’s men produced a perfect tactical display to win 1-0 at Olympiacos on Sunday and will probably not change much for this trip to Spain. And, although their away form has been superb throughout the campaign, it’s hard to see them winning at Vallecas.

AEK have never won any of their seven matches in Spain before, losing seven, and should find Rayo a level above all of their previous continental opponents this term. Nikolic’s side saw off Anderlecht in the play-off round before taking an impressive 13 points in the league phase, but their hardest game was probably against a relegation-threatened Fiorentina side.

Canny visitors will try to shut up shop

Rayo have beaten the likes of Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid in La Liga this season as well as holding Real Madrid to a 0-0 draw at home. They have mixed it with superior sides and held their own, which should stand them in good stead for this two-legged tie.

The Spanish club have won four of their five home European games this term and went through on aggregate after the match they lost, getting what they wanted out of the game. Back them to win with fewer than three goals in the game because AEK are a canny defensive side who will attempt to frustrate and shut up shop for as long as possible.