AEK Athens vs Rayo Vallecano Tips & Preview – Hosts face daunting task

Tolu Shotade

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Last updated: Tue 14 Apr 2026 18:05

Tolu Shotade 4 hours ago

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Rayo lead AEK 3-0 in the UEFA Conference League quarter-final.
AEK hope to overturn the deficit with strong home performance.
High-scoring match expected with both teams' recent form.

AEK Athens vs Rayo Vallecano

Rayo Vallecano take a 3-0 lead to the Allywn Arena, where they will face AEK Athens in the second leg of their UEFA Conference League quarter-final clash on Thursday.

AEK must be at their sizzling best, while hoping for the visitors to capitulate in order to have any shot at reaching the last four.

AEK Athens News

AEK Athens were dominated in Spain last week, losing 3-0 to Rayo Vallecano. The result ended their two-game winning streak and marked successive European defeats for the Greek side.

Playing in their fifth European quarter-final, AEK come into this encounter with five wins in their last 10 matches. Having once overturned a 3-0 deficit to beat Queens Park Rangers in 1976/77, they have lost six of the last seven European ties in which they lost the first leg by at least three goals.

Marko Nikolic's side can rely on their attack for this uphill task, scoring in eight of their last 10 home fixtures. With only one clean sheet in their last five Conference League games, this is expected to be an open clash. AEK's matches have also been entertaining, producing over 2.5 goals in six of their last 10 outings.

Rayo Vallecano News

Rayo Vallecano are currently on a decent run, with two wins from their last three outings. However, they suffered a 3-0 defeat to Mallorca at the weekend in La Liga.

Los Franjirrojos look set for a maiden semi-final berth in their first European competition in 25 years. They have impressed in the Conference League this season, winning eight of their 11 matches in the competition. Rayo head into the clash full of confidence, having lost three of their last 12 fixtures, scoring in nine of those games, and keeping only four clean sheets.

Although Inigo Perez’s side have lost five of their last eight away games across all competitions, their only two Conference League defeats have been by a single goal. This should give them enough hope of advancing to the next round. They have been involved in high-scoring fixtures, with over 2.5 goals recorded in six of their last 10 matches.

Head to Head

Rayo Vallecano won the last meeting between these two teams, clinching a 3-0 victory in the first leg in Spain. AEK Athens, meanwhile, are winless in their last 16 games against Spanish opposition.

Verdict

AEK Athens v Rayo Vallecano

AEK Athens have scored in eight of their last 10 home fixtures, while the visitors have netted in nine of their last 12. This means Both Teams to Score looks a solid pick.

Both sides have seen over 2.5 goals in six of their last 10 matches, and a repeat of the trend is on the cards here. Rayo won the first leg, and AEK are winless in their last 16 against Spanish opposition. This means the visitors are likely to avoid defeat with Rayo Vallecano Draw No Bet, likely.

Yes

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Rayo Vallecano

Draw No Bet

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