Rayo Vallecano vs AEK prediction 09.04.2026 | UEFA Conference League
Rayo Vallecano
Kick off:
Date:
AEK Athens
1
2.07
X
3.33
2
4.04
Contents
- Competition: UEFA Conference League
- Date: Thursday, 9th April 2026
- Kickoff: 17:45 UK / 18:45 CEST
- Venue: Campo de Futbol de Vallecas (Madrid)
On Thursday evening, Rayo Vallecano and AEK Athens will meet in the first leg of what is potentially the most even Conference League quarterfinal. The Spanish team is the favorite in the upcoming clash, but the Greek side is in better form. Can AEK stun Rayo Vallecano at Campo de Futbol de Vallecas? Let's break down the match and find the best betting option.
Rayo Vallecano team overview
After an excellent last season, Rayo Vallecano returned to reality this season. With eight rounds left, Rayo Vallecano are a mid-table La Liga team, but with only six points more than the relegation zone. Inigo Perez's team needs a few more victories in the coming weeks to avoid any complications. Rayo Vallecano haven't impressed lately, with only three victories in the previous nine games across all competitions. In the most recent outing, Rayo Vallecano won 1-0 at home against Elche. The hosts had some problems breaking the deadlock, but after Pedro Bigas' red card, Rayo Vallecano's dominance finally translated into a goal.
After a victory last Friday, Rayo Vallecano's head coach, Inigo Perez, was very satisfied. He said, "We're very happy, overjoyed, I'd say, because it was a situation we had to overcome, knowing how complex it was. We saw it up until the sending-off, they were more comfortable. We weren't suffering too much, but I think they were more comfortable with the different approach they used compared to other matches. So, we're very happy with the victory."
Diego Mendez is injured and will not play on Thursday evening against AEK.
Last matches of Rayo Vallecano
-
Rayo Vallecano
1 : 0
Elche
La Liga
-
FC Barcelona
1 : 0
Rayo Vallecano
La Liga
-
Rayo Vallecano
0 : 1
Samsunspor
Europa Conference League
-
Rayo Vallecano
1 : 1
Levante
La Liga
-
Samsunspor
1 : 3
Rayo Vallecano
Europa Conference League
Rayo Vallecano lineup
Goalkeeper
-
13
Augusto Batalla
Defenders
-
2
Andrei Ratiu
-
24
Florian Lejeune
-
5
Luiz Felipe
-
3
Pep Chavarria
Midfielders
-
17
Unai Lopez
-
7
Isi Palazon
-
23
Oscar Valentin
Forwards
-
19
Jorge de Frutos
-
9
Alemao
-
18
Alvaro Garcia
AEK team overview
After two seasons without a title, AEK are on course to win the 14th most prestigious trophy in Greek football. Marko Nikolic's team is at the top of the domestic league, with five points ahead of PAOK and Olympiacos. Also, AEK are in outstanding form with only one defeat in the last 13 matches in all competitions. Last weekend, Nikolic's team won 1-0 on the road against Olympiacos. That match was extremely tight, with only a few goal-scoring chances, but the guests found a way to secure valuable three points.
AEK won in the derby against Olympiacos, and the head coach, Marko Nikolic, was delighted. He said, "As for the game, I dare say that the match went the way we wanted it. Olympiacos has excellent players, and one look at the players on the bench is enough. We did everything to neutralize the opponent's trump cards."
Alexander Callens is the only player unavailable for the trip to Spain.
Last matches of AEK Athens
-
Olympiacos Piraeus
1 : 1
AEK Athens
Super League
-
AEK Athens
3 : 0
Kifisia
Super League
-
AEK Athens
0 : 2
Celje
Europa Conference League
-
Atromitos
2 : 2
AEK Athens
Super League
-
Celje
0 : 4
AEK Athens
Europa Conference League
AEK Athens lineup
Goalkeeper
-
1
Thomas Strakosha
Defenders
-
12
Lazaros Rota
-
2
Harold Moukoudi
-
44
Felipe Relvas
-
29
James Penrice
Midfielders
-
11
Aboubakary Koita
-
18
Razvan Marin
-
13
Orbelin Pineda
-
37
Roberto Pereyra
Forwards
-
9
Luka Jovic
-
25
Barnabas Varga
Prediction
Rayo Vallecano have some problems with offense lately. They scored only one goal in their last three matches. Also, that only goal came when Elche had only ten players in the previous league round. On the other hand, AEK didn't concede any goals in the last two games. The upcoming clash in Vallecas should be very tight and low-scoring. Our prediction: Under 2.5 goals.
3 Reasons why we shouldn't expect more than two goals in this match
- Rayo Vallecano scored only one goal in the last three matches
- There were two or fewer goals in the previous four Rayo Vallecano games
- AEK didn't concede any goals in the last two matches
Main prediction Rayo Vallecano - AEK Athens
Under 2.5 goals
Best Odds:
22bet
1.73
Rayo Vallecano vs AEK Athens standings in Europa Conference League
| League Stage | P | W | D | L |
G - A
|
GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Strasbourg | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 11 - 5 | +6 | 16 |
| 2 | Raków Częstochowa | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 9 - 2 | +7 | 14 |
| 3 | AEK Athens | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 14 - 7 | +7 | 13 |
| 4 | Sparta Praha | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 10 - 3 | +7 | 13 |
| 5 | Rayo Vallecano | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 13 - 7 | +6 | 13 |
| 6 | Shakhtar Donetsk | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 10 - 5 | +5 | 13 |
| 7 | FSV Mainz 05 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 7 - 3 | +4 | 13 |
| 8 | AEK Larnaca | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 7 - 1 | +6 | 12 |
| 9 | Lausanne Sport | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 6 - 3 | +3 | 11 |
| 10 | Crystal Palace | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 11 - 6 | +5 | 10 |
| 11 | Lech Poznań | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 12 - 8 | +4 | 10 |
| 12 | Samsunspor | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 10 - 6 | +4 | 10 |
| 13 | Celje | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 8 - 7 | +1 | 10 |
| 14 | AZ | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 7 - 7 | 0 | 10 |
| 15 | Fiorentina | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 8 - 5 | +3 | 9 |
| 16 | Rijeka | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 5 - 2 | +3 | 9 |
| 17 | Jagiellonia Białystok | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 5 - 4 | +1 | 9 |
| 18 | Omonia Nicosia | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 - 4 | +1 | 8 |
| 19 | Noah | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 - 7 | -1 | 8 |
| 20 | Drita | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 - 8 | -4 | 8 |
| 21 | KuPS | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 6 - 5 | +1 | 7 |
| 22 | Skendija 79 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 - 5 | -1 | 7 |
| 23 | Zrinjski | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 8 - 10 | -2 | 7 |
| 24 | Sigma Olomouc | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 7 - 9 | -2 | 7 |
| 25 | Universitatea Craiova | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 - 8 | -2 | 7 |
| 26 | Lincoln Red Imps | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 7 - 15 | -8 | 7 |
| 27 | Dynamo Kyiv | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 9 - 9 | 0 | 6 |
| 28 | Legia Warszawa | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 8 - 8 | 0 | 6 |
| 29 | Slovan Bratislava | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 5 - 9 | -4 | 6 |
| 30 | Breidablik | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 - 11 | -5 | 5 |
| 31 | Shamrock Rovers | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 7 - 13 | -6 | 4 |
| 32 | Häcken | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 5 - 8 | -3 | 3 |
| 33 | Hamrun Spartans | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 4 - 11 | -7 | 3 |
| 34 | Shelbourne | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 - 7 | -7 | 2 |
| 35 | Aberdeen | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 3 - 14 | -11 | 2 |
| 36 | SK Rapid | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 - 14 | -11 | 1 |