Rayo Vallecano lead 1-0 from last week's first leg
Winners face either Crystal Palace or Shakhtar Donetsk in the final
Recommended bet: Rayo Vallecano to win @ 29/10
Rayo Vallecano got their noses in front in the UEFA Conference League semi-final after a 1-0 victory at home last week and the Spanish side can seal a place in the final by also winning the second leg at Strasbourg.
A second-half goal from Brazilian forward Alexandre Alemao was enough for Rayo, although the Spaniards should have won by a greater margin at home and will be wary of a Strasbourg fightback on Thursday.
Team news
Both managers opted to rest key players for their domestic games at the weekend but will revert to full strength for the second leg.
Guela Doue is a doubt for Strasbourg due to illness, while Valentin Barco is struggling to be fit following an ankle injury.
Aaron Anselmino and Joaquin Panichelli are both out long-term.
Rayo's Luiz Felipe is absent with a hamstring injury, Diego Mendez remains on the sidelines with a knee injury and Alvaro Garcia is rated as doubtful due to a muscle strain.
The stats
Strasbourg have won just one of their last five games.
Vallecano have won three of their last four matches.
Strasbourg topped the league-phase table with a record of five wins and one draw from their six games.
The Ligue 1 side have seen off Rijeka and Mainz in the knockout stage.
Rayo finished fifth in the league phase after four wins, one draw and one defeat.
The Spanish team then knocked out Samsunspor in the last 16 and AEK Athens in the quarter-finals.
The first leg was the first-ever competitive meeting between the clubs.
The latest Strasbourg vs Rayo Vallecano odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Rayo will have been satisfied by their first-leg win but may also have a nagging feeling that they should be heading to the Stade de la Meinau with a greater advantage.
After going in front last week, the Spaniards dominated and wasted several good chances to extend their lead, recording more shots and more shots on target than their opponents.
At only 1-0, the tie is finely poised and Strasbourg, who topped the league-phase table, will be eyeing a recovery, just like they did in the quarter-finals when they won their second leg against Mainz 4-0 at home after a 2-0 loss away.
However, Gary O'Neil's side have won just one of their last five games and head into Thursday's clash following a 2-1 home defeat in Ligue 1 against Toulouse. Rayo's recent form has been much better, they have recorded three wins in their last four games overall, and can edge what looks set to be a tight and tense second leg.
Score prediction: Strasbourg 1-2 Rayo Vallecano
The latest Strasbourg vs Rayo Vallecano odds are available on LiveScore Bet
