Rayo Vallecano vs AEK Athens Prediction: Varga to help Greeks to away success

Rayo Vallecano's second ever European campaign is going sublimely, but now they face a serious test against Greek heavyweights AEK Athens in the first leg of their Conference League quarter-final (17:45, TNT Sports 4).

The Campo de Futbol de Vallecas will be rocking for a showdown between two sides who excelled in the league phase and now have their sights on the semis. Steve Davies provides his Rayo Vallecano vs AEK Athens predictions, supported by all the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Pathe Ciss is expected to return to the Rayo midfield after missing Friday's 1-0 La Liga win over Elche through suspension, but Diego Mendez is definitely out and Fran Perez is a doubt.

AEK head coach Marko Nikolic appears to have a full squad at his disposal with no significnat injuries having been reported.

Football Odds

Rayo Vallecano vs AEK Athens

Rayo Vallecano are Evens to take a first-leg lead back to Greece, with AEK 11/4 to go to Madrid and win, while the draw is available at 12/5.

Rayo's 12-goal top scorer Jorge de Frutos heads the first-scorer betting at 7/2.

Today's Football Fixtures

AEK Athens to win @ 11/4

AEK Athens could not have had a tougher prep for this trip to Spain than a Sunday night away game at Olympiakos and they passed it with flying colours.

Aboubakary Koita scored the only goal in a 1-0 win as AEK leapfrogged their great rivals to top spot in the division.

That's now just one loss since the end of October for Nikolic's excellent side, who look real value to deliver the first-leg win at Rayo.

AEK have won their last three away games in the Conference League, at Fiorentina, Samsunspor and Celje, and boast firepower that Rayo would give several right arms for.

Meanwhile, it's four wins in 14 in Rayo who are dropping down La Liga and even Friday night's 1-0 victory over Elche was against a side reduced to 10 men after 39 minutes.

They also lost the home leg of their round-of-16 tie, beaten 1-0 by Samsunspor, having done enough in Turkey in the first leg to squeak through 3-2 on aggregate.

Barnabas Varga anytime scorer @ 11/4 

AEK are not short of firepower with ex-Real Madrid frontman Luka Jovic and Barnabas Varga proving an explosive pairing.

Jovic has got 20 goals this season, while Varga had himself scored 20 for Ferencvaros before a January switch to Athens, where he has added six more.

One of those was at Celje in the previous round, his first European tie for his new club.

Varga is a real threat with a record to match and looks a very decent option to find the net at any time.

You can read all our latest Football Betting Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights content hub.