Rayo Vallecano vs Samsunspor: Preview, Predictions, Team News, Lineups

Rayo Vallecano host Samsunspor at the Estadio de Vallecas on Thursday night in the second leg of their Europa Conference League round of 16 tie. The Madrid side carries a 3-1 lead from the first meeting in Turkey.

This Rayo Vallecano vs Samsunspor preview includes predictions, team news and likely lineups. The visitors must overturn a two-goal deficit to reach the quarter-finals.

Match context

Rayo won the first leg 3-1 away in Samsun. A comeback from the Turkish side would be rare in the competition.

Only Olympiacos overturned a 3-1 first-leg deficit in the Conference League last season. Samsunspor face a tough task in front of a hostile crowd.

How the first leg unfolded

Rayo opened the scoring inside 15 minutes through Alemao. Marius Mouandilmadji levelled seven minutes later for Samsunspor.

Alvaro Garcia restored Rayo’s lead before half-time. Alemao then sealed the win in the 78th minute with a solo effort.

Isi Palazon assisted twice. He became the first Rayo player to register two assists in a single major European match.

Rayo Vallecano form and background

Rayo progressed directly to the round of 16 from the league phase. They finished fifth with four wins, one draw and one defeat.

The side scored 13 goals in that stage, behind only AEK Athens. Rayo have won all three home matches in this Conference League season.

They are, however, winless in their last two La Liga home games. Both fixtures ended 1-1, against Sevilla and Levante.

Samsunspor form and threats

Thorsten Fink’s team must attack to chase the tie. Marius Mouandilmadji is their main offensive threat.

Mouandilmadji has eight goals and two assists in nine Conference League appearances. Samsunspor’s away record in the competition reads one win, one draw and one defeat.

The Turkish side beat Kayserispor 2-1 last weekend. That win stopped consecutive losses to Fenerbahce and Rayo.

Team News

Rayo will be without Diego Mendez through injury. Augusto Batalla, Isi Palazon, Oscar Trejo and Oscar Valentin sit one booking away from suspension.

Manager Inigo Perez rotated heavily against Levante. Many regular starters are expected to return for the second leg.

Samsunspor lost Olivier Ntcham to an early injury last weekend. Bedirhan Cetin remains out with a cruciate ligament problem.

Afonso Sousa is still recovering from an ankle issue. Jaures Assoumou is also unavailable due to injury.

Yunus Emre Cift, Carl Holse, Rick van Drongelen and Celil Yuksel face suspension if booked. That could affect their selection choices.

Lineups

Predictions

Rayo arrive in a commanding position. Their control and recent form make them favourites to progress.

Filmogaz.com predicts a Rayo Vallecano 2-0 Samsunspor scoreline. That would send the hosts through 5-1 on aggregate.