Rayo Vallecano vs AEK Athens: Predictions, Team Updates, and Lineups

AEK Athens travel to Spain for Thursday’s UEFA Conference League quarter-final first leg at Rayo Vallecano. The tie winner will meet Mainz 05 or Strasbourg in the semi-finals.

Route to the quarter-finals

Rayo Vallecano returned to European competition this season. It is their first continental campaign since the 2000-01 Europa League.

In 2000-01, Rayo exited the last eight after a 4-2 aggregate loss to Alaves. This season they reached the last 16 by finishing fifth in the league phase. They defeated Samsunspor 3-2 over two legs. Rayo won 3-1 away in the first leg, then lost 1-0 at Vallecas.

Rayo head into the first leg after a 1-0 home win over Elche in La Liga. That victory moved them to 13th and six points clear of the relegation zone.

AEK advanced straight from the league phase after a top-eight finish. They beat Celje 4-0 away in the first leg and progressed 4-2 on aggregate despite conceding twice at home.

AEK chase their first European trophy. They also pursue a domestic title they last won in 2022-23.

Recent form and context

AEK sit five points clear at the Greek Super League summit. Marko Nikolic’s side beat Olympiacos 1-0 on Sunday. Aboubakary Koita scored in the fifth minute.

The win extended AEK’s unbeaten away run to 14 competitive matches. That sequence features 10 wins and four draws. Notable away victories include Fiorentina, Samsunspor and Celje.

Conference League and overall form

• Rayo Vallecano Conference League form: W L W W W L
• Rayo Vallecano form (all competitions): D W D L L W
• AEK Athens Conference League form: D W W W W L
• AEK Athens form (all competitions): W W D L W W

For readers seeking Rayo Vallecano vs AEK Athens: Predictions, Team Updates, and Lineups, this article outlines form, absences and likely XIs.

Team updates

Rayo Vallecano

Fran Perez is injured and omitted from the Conference League squad. He will not feature on Thursday.

Jozhua Vertrouwd, Abdul Mumin and Randy Nteka are also ineligible for the quarter-final. Pathe Ciss returns after a one-match La Liga suspension.

AEK Athens

Marko Grujic, Robert Ljubicic, Hakim Sahabo and Joao Mario were left off AEK’s European list.

Stavros Pilios is expected back in the starting lineup after serving a suspension. Luka Jovic leads AEK’s scoring this season with 16 goals in 38 appearances. Three of those came in the Conference League.

Possible starting lineups

Prediction

Rayo will trust home advantage and Vallecas support. AEK’s long unbeaten away run makes them a stern opponent.

Filmogaz.com predicts a 1-1 draw in the first leg. Both sides should leave the tie finely poised for the return match.