/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.footballwhispers.com%2Fmain%2F2023%2F11%2Fadam.jpg){kind=avatar}
/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.footballwhispers.com%2Fmain%2F2025%2F12%2FRayo-Players.jpg)
Rayo Vallecano have never been this far in Europe as they prepare for the first leg of their Conference League semi-final at the Campo de Futbol de Vallecas against Strasbourg on Thursday night.
Rayo boast home advantage in the first leg, and come into this after a thrilling 3-3 draw at home to Real Sociedad in LaLiga last time out.
Meanwhile, Strasbourg won 3-2 at Lorient in Ligue 1, and will be hoping for a positive result to take to France in the second leg.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our Today's betting tips page for more of our expert Conference League predictions!
Contents
Rayo Vallecano vs. Strasbourg key stats
- Rayo are unbeaten in four home games in all competitions (W3, D1).
- Strasbourg have lost three of their last five matches across all competitions (W2).
- BTTS has only come through once in those five games.
Rayo Vallecano vs. Strasbourg preview: Rayo to race into first-leg lead?
| Rayo Vallecano | vs | Strasbourg |
|---|---|---|
| 11th (LaLiga) | Position | 8th (Ligue 1) |
| 39 | Points | 46 |
| 33 | Goals For | 49 |
| 41 | Goals Against | 39 |
| 10 | Clean Sheets | 9 |
| 11th | Home Rank | 9th |
| 16th | Away Rank | 6th |
Rayo have never reached a major European semi-final, let alone final, until now.
It is a historic achievement for the club, but they will want to go one better by beating Strasbourg over two legs.
Rayo's last three wins have been to nil.
They have the advantage of playing on home soil in the first leg, and they are unbeaten in four games in front of their home fans (W3, D1).
Inigo Perez's side also boast a strong home record in the Conference League (W5, L1), and so will be aiming to go to France next week with a lead to hold onto.
As for Strasbourg, they last reached the semi-final of a major European competition in 1995, going on to win the Intertoto Cup.
However, Strasbourg have already experienced heartbreak in a semi-final this season, having lost out to Nice in the Coupe de France.
Strasbourg have conceded at least twice in four of their previous five games.
They are also away from home in the first leg, and are not in great form having lost three of their previous five matches (W2).
Key players like Joaquin Panichelli and Aaron Anselmino are also sidelined with injury alongside the suspended Valentin Barco, so Gary O'Neil's team will have to be resilient if they are to avoid a first-leg defeat here.
Rayo Vallecano vs. Strasbourg form guide & betting tips
| Rayo Vallecano | vs | Strasbourg |
|---|---|---|
| W-L-L-W-D | Form | L-W-L-L-W |
| 8 | Goals For | 7 |
| 9 | Goals Against | 9 |
| L-W-L | Conference League form | D-L-W |
Whispers predicts: Rayo Vallecano 2-0 Strasbourg
Rayo are favourites with bookmakers, and given their strong home form, we are backing Rayo to win at 5/4.
Strasbourg's last three defeats have been to nil, so BTTS - No at 1/1 also appeals.
First legs are usually cagey with both teams desperate to still be in with a real chance of going through heading into the second leg, so Under 2.5 goals at 4/5 is our final pick.
Overall, we are predicting a 2-0 Rayo victory, which can be backed at 10/1.
> Under 2.5 goals at 4/5 | Likelihood: Probable
> BTTS - No at 1/1 | Likelihood: Probable
> Rayo to win at 5/4 | Likelihood: Possible