Rayo Vallecano vs Strasbourg Prediction: French side may have to stage another second-leg comeback

Rayo Vallecano and RC Strasbourg are both in the semi-finals of a major European competition for the first time, so expect plenty of excitement in the stands at Campo de Futbol de Vallecas this Thursday (20:00 BST, TNT Sports 5) when they face off in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League tie.

Below are my Rayo Vallecano vs Strasbourg predictions, supported by all the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Alvaro Garcia (muscle), Diego Mendez (knee), Luiz Felipe and Randy Nteka (both unspecified) are among those who could miss out for Inigo Perez's Rayo Vallecano on Thursday due to injury.

Football Odds

Strasbourg head coach Gary O'Neill, meanwhile, is without crocked the suspended Valentin Barco, as well as crocked pair Joaquin Panichelli and Aaron Anselmino (both knee).

Rayo Vallecano vs Strasbourg Odds

Rayo Vallecano are 6/5 favourites to win, implying a 45.5% probability of success, with Strasbourg 9/4, or a 30.8% chance, and the draw offered at 23/10.

Match Result - Rayo Vallecano @ 6/5

Rayo have been mightily impressive on home soil this season, losing just three times.

FC Barcelona (1-1), Real Madrid (0-0) and Atletico Madrid (3-0) have all failed to win away at Rayo since the start of the 2025/26 campaign.

Los Franjirrojos have won three of their four home games so far this month (D1), keeping a clean sheet in all three victories. One of those successes was against AEK Athens in the first leg of their Conference League quarter-final tie, one of five European home triumphs this season.

The only club Rayo have failed to beat at home in Europe this season is Samsunspor, in the second leg of their last-16 tie, having won the first leg 3-1 in Turkey, meaning that they could afford a one-goal defeat and still progress to the next round with requiring extra time.

Today's Football Fixtures

Strasbourg, meanwhile, won their first five away games in Europe this season, but they were beaten 2-0 at Mainz in the first leg of their quarter-final tie earlier this month, having to stage a comeback in France with a 4-0 victory.

This is a tough contest to call, but at over EVS, I'm happy to back a Rayo win, given how hot they have been on home soil this season, and especially this month.

Anytime Goalscorer - Isi Palazon (RAY) @ 18/5

Rayo forward Isi Palazon has scored seven goals this season, and three of those strikes have come in the Conference League.

The 31-year-old only struck once in the league phase of the competition, with his other two goals coming in the quarter-finals, one in the 3-0 first-leg victory over AEK in Madrid on April 9, and the other a week later in a 3-1 loss in Athens.

His goal against AEK in Spain was from the penalty spot, which a handy string to his bow in the anytime goalscorer market.

At 18/5, I think there's value in backing Palazon to score in a third consecutive Conference League game, especially as he was sent off in Sunday's 3-3 La Liga draw with Real Sociedad, meaning he is suspended for the weekend trip to Getafe and should play the majority of Thursday's match.

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