Samsunspor vs Rayo Vallecano predictions: Visitors to extend unbeaten run
Elliott Bretland
Samsunspor defeated Shkendija home and away to reach the round of 16
Rayo Vallecano are unbeaten in their last five La Liga matches
Recommended bet: Draw
Rayo Vallecano travel to Turkey to face Samsunspor in the first leg of their Conference League round of 16 tie on Thursday night.
La Liga outfit Vallecano progressed to this stage of the competition after finishing fifth in the league phase, while Samsunspor defeated North Macedonian outfit Shkendija in the knockout phase play-offs.
The latest Samsunspor vs Rayo Vallecano odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Samsunspor boss Thorsten Fink is spinning plates somewhat with a significant injury list impacting his selection choices.
Afonso Sousa is out due to an ankle injury, Bedirhan Cetin has a hamstring problem and Kouadou Assoumou is also sidelined. Zeki Yarvu is a doubt with a muscle problem while Emre Kilinc could also miss this clash.
Vallecano, meanwhile, are without Diego Mendez, while Carlos Martin, on loan from Atletico Madrid, is also unavailable.
Senegal international Pathe Ciss is also a doubt after suffering a knee problem in last week’s win over Real Oviedo which saw him miss the subsequent trip to Sevilla.
The latest Samsunspor vs Rayo Vallecano odds are available on LiveScore Bet
The stats
Samsunspor striker Marius Mouandilmadji is the current top scorer in the Conference League with seven goals in eight matches.
Rayo Vallecano were the second-highest scoring team in the league phase, netting 13 times in six matches.
Samsunspor’s Zeki Yavru has taken a competition high 24 corners in this season’s Conference League.
It is 25 years since Rayo Vallecano reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup where they lost to eventual finalists Alaves.
The latest Samsunspor vs Rayo Vallecano odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Samsunspor have proved a strong outfit at home in this season’s Conference League, beating Dynamo Kiev 3-0 on their way to reaching the knockout stages of the tournament.
Keeping four clean sheets in their last five matches at the 19 Mayis Stadium, Fink’s team are resolute and difficult to break down and so Vallecano will have to be at their attacking best to break through the Turkish side’s rearguard.
The Spanish side, who reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup back in 2001, will be hoping to once again reach the last eight of a major European competition a quarter of a century on.
However, while Vallecano will be favourites in the second leg having gone five games unbeaten, manager Inigo Perez may decide to take a more cautious approach in Turkey.
With this in mind, the first leg of this round of 16 tie could prove to be a cagey affair in which the teams end up cancelling each other out.
Back the draw at 9/4 with LiveScore Bet
The latest Samsunspor vs Rayo Vallecano odds are available on LiveScore Bet
