Crystal Palace have been focusing on the Conference League which saw their EPL form take a deep dive.
Rayo Vallecano’s form appears fine on paper, but without home advantage and facing a steep step up in class, I am sticking with the English side in the final.
HTH - First Clash
This will be the first match between Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano.
Palace All In on the Conference League
Crystal Palace haven’t won in the Premier League since April, a run of seven straight games. The London club ended up 15th on the table, six points above the relegation zone.
The Eagles suffered a 2-1 home defeat against Arsenal on the final matchday. Outplayed by the Gunners, Jean-Philippe Mateta scored in the 89th minute and Chadi Riad saw a great chance saved in added time.
Oliver Glasner’s side have put all their eggs in the Conference League basket and it paid off. Palace got past Zrinjski, AEK Larnaca, Fiorentina and Shakhtar Donetsk to get into the final.
Rayo Tough to Beat
Rayo Vallecano are unbeaten in nine games, including 1-0 wins against Strasbourg in the Conference League semi-finals. Brazilian striker Alemão scored in both legs to make it four goals in the competition.
The Madrid club lost only twice at home in La Liga where they finished eighth on the table.
Inigo Perez saw his side win 2-1 at Deportivo Alaves on the final matchday. The manager made wholesale changes as Rayo trailed 1-0 early on, Sergio Camello equalising before assisting Randy Nteka in the 90th minute.
Predicted Lineups & Team News
Crystal Palace (3-4-3) Dean Henderson; Jaydee Canvot, Maxence Lacroix, Chadi Riad; Daniel Munoz, Daichi Kamada, Adam Wharton, Tyrick Mitchell; Ismaila Sarr, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Yeremy Pino
Eddie Nketiah is out with a hamstring injury and Evann Guessand is battling a knee injury. Chris Richards and Adam Wharton are doubtful.
Rayo Vallecano (4-2-3-1) Augusto Batalla; Andrei Ratiu, Florian Lejeune, Pathe Ciss, Pep Chavarria; Unai Lopez, Oscar Valentin; Jorge De Frutos, Isi Palazon, Alvaro Garcia; Alemão
Luiz Felipe and Ilias Akhomach are doubftul here and Isi Palazon hasn’t played in three weeks.