Conference League
2026-05-07 - Strasbourg vs Rayo Vallecano
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: UEFA Conference League Semi Final Second Leg
Thursday 7th May 2026 - Kick Off 8pm
This game is live on TV
Strasbourg
There would not have been too many positives to take from the First Leg of this Conference League tie, but one may be that Strasbourg are far from out of this Semi Final. A 1-0 deficit gives them work to do, but Strasbourg were in a much more challenging spot in the Quarter Final and made sure they used home advantage to full effect.
This is a team that finished top of the League Phase of the Conference League and Strasbourg have won 3 of the 5 games played here in the competition. The exceptions have both been in draws, but the 4-0 win over Mainz in the Quarter Final Second Leg after losing 2-0 in Germany shows what Strasbourg can do at their best.
Strasbourg were beaten again this past weekend and have lost 5 of the last 7 games in all competitions, although both exceptions have been wins. They have lost 3 in a row at home since beating Mainz in the Conference League Quarter Final Second Leg and Strasbourg have conceded at least twice in each loss.
Rayo Vallecano
Another big three points in the Spanish top flight should have eased lingering relegation concerns for Rayo Vallecano and they can place all of their attention on earning a place in the Conference League Final. There will be some frustration that Rayo Vallecano do not have a bigger lead after the First Leg, but they are in front and that gives them the narrow edge.
During the League Phase of the Conference League, Rayo Vallecano were a mixed bag away from home and that has continued in the Knock Out Rounds having won 1-3 at Samsunspor and lost 3-1 at AEK Athens. One note here is that Rayo Vallecano have lost at least one of the two Legged ties in each of the last two Rounds of the Conference League.
Rayo Vallecano are unbeaten in 4 games in all competitions since the 3-1 loss at AEK Athens in the Conference League Quarter Final, while the side have won 3 of those fixtures to build up momentum and confidence. They had lost 3 away games in a row in all competitions before the important 0-2 win at Getafe this past weekend.
Head to Head
This is the first competitive fixture between the clubs hosted by Strasbourg.
Prediction
The First Leg was dominated by Rayo Vallecano, but the one goal lead means this Conference League Semi Final is still finely balanced.
Consistency has been eluding Rayo Vallecano for much of the season and that can perhaps be underlined by the fact they have lost one of the two Legs played in each of the last two Knock Out Rounds in this Conference League run. First Leg strong outings have been replaced by Second Leg nerves and that is something that should inspire Strasbourg as they bid to turn the tables.
It was a really poor performance for Gary O'Neil's team last week, but he will be expecting a reaction.
They were pretty well beaten at Mainz in the Quarter Final First Leg, but Strasbourg responded at home with a comprehensive 4-0 win that took them through to the last four of this competition.
Gary O'Neil will be hoping for more of the same, even if Strasbourg have lost 3 in a row here in all competitions. They are likely to be much better in the Second Leg compared to the performance last Thursday and home advantage has been key to the Strasbourg run into the last four.
We should have another competitive fixture, but this week Strasbourg may be able to force Extra Time at the very least with a victory in normal time.
The Pick :
Strasbourg 2-1 Rayo Vallecano
