AEK Athens Form and Squad
Since 18 January AEK Athens have suffered only two defeats in 14 matches in all competitions. Over this run the home side have scored at least one goal in 11 games. The coaching staff led by Marko Nikolic will be without leading striker Jovic (suspension for yellow cards), but the Serbian coach has excellent replacements. Varga and Koita have scored five goals between them – the forward from Mauritania (4+0) is in fact in the top 12 scorers of the European campaign. The hosts were given a rest after the defeat in Spain, and before that they beat Kifisia (3:0) and Olympiacos (1:0) in the Super League, putting together a solid 2.55 xG across those matches. Incidentally, the yellow and black side are top of the Greek championship – the gap to PAOK and Olympiacos is five points, so they can throw everything into a comeback in the Conference League.
Key AEK Athens numbers:
AEK Athens have won four of their last five home games in the Super League.
In their last 15 home matches AEK Athens have failed to score only twice.
In four of AEK Athens six matches in the main phase of the Conference League the bet Both teams to score – Yes has landed.
Potential AEK Athens Lineup (4-4-2)
Thomas Strakosha — Lazaros Rota, Harold Moukoudi, Filipe Relvas, Stavros Pilios — Roberto Pereyra, Razvan Marin, Orbelin Pineda, Mijat Gacinovic — Aboubakary Koita, Barnabas Varga.
Rayo Vallecano Form and Squad
The side coached by Perez have had problems getting results away from home throughout the season. Rayo Vallecano have conceded at least one goal in 14 consecutive away matches – this run started back at the end of November. Over this spell the away side have won in regulation time only three times, and in their recent La Liga trips they suffered goalless defeats against Barcelona (0:1) and Mallorca with a combined 3.07 xGA. This shows how difficult it is for the defence to withstand opposition attacks away from their own stadium. Incidentally, in Palma de Mallorca Perez's team played their most recent league match. In that game the visitors actually created more chances (1.95 xG against 1.68 and 17-12 in shots), but the attack were unlucky with their finishing. Luck will not pass them by twice.
Key Rayo Vallecano numbers:
Since the start of February, in four of six away matches involving Perez's side the bet Both teams to score – Yes has landed.
Rayo Vallecano have four players with at least three goal contributions in the current Conference League campaign. Garcia leads the way (3+3).
Away to Samsunspor (3:1) a month ago Rayo Vallecano needed only 0.56 xG to score three goals. The teams had already landed Both teams to score – Yes by the 21st minute.
Potential Rayo Vallecano Lineup (4-2-3-1)
Augusto Batalla — Andrei Ratiu, Luiz Felipe, Florian Lejeune, Pep Chavarria — Unai Lopez, Pate Ciss — Isi Palazon, Ilias Akhomach, Alvaro Garcia — Jorge de Frutos.
