Rayo Vallecano vs Shkendija prediction: EUROPE: Conference League – League phase betting tips on match 2025-10-01 16:45.
[p]Rayo Vallecano and ShkĆ«ndija will both make their debuts in the group/league stage of any UEFA competition when they meet in matchday one of the UEFA Conference League.Ā [/p]
[p]Match News and Current Form[/p]
[p]Rayo swept aside Belarusian outfit Neman Grodno (5-0 on aggregate) to reach the league phase of the Conference League – 25 years on from their only previous appearance in Europe when they got to the quarter-finals of the 2000/01 UEFA Cup. Since qualifying for this yearās competition, the Red Sashes have struggled through La Liga, picking up just two points (L3) and scoring only four times. Their 1-0 defeat to Sevilla on Sunday was their first home loss since early April, with the intervening unbeaten run on their own turf spanning seven games in all competitions (W2, D5), so the long-term form at home remains strong.[/p]
[p]The trip to Spain for this encounter represents ShkĆ«ndijaās main draw debut in European competition, having somewhat limped into the Conference League after being knocked out of the qualifying rounds of both the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League this summer. After a heartbreaking Europa League play-off loss after extra time against Ludogorets Razgrad, the reigning North Macedonian top-flight champions have continued to look formidable domestically, winning four of their five such league matches (D1), as well as recording a 9-0 cup thrashing.[/p]
[p]Head-to-Head History[/p]
[p]This will be the inaugural meeting between clubs from Spain and North Macedonia.[/p]
[p]Hot Stats and Streaks[/p]
[p]Rayo have not scored before first-half stoppage time in any of their last eight matches.Ā [/p]
[p]Rayo have not kept a clean sheet in any competitive match outside of their Conference League qualifying tie against Neman.[/p]
[p]ShkĆ«ndija have not conceded before half-time in any of their last six matches.Ā [/p]
[p]There has been at least one goal scored in each of the last eight halves of European football that Shkƫndija have played, including extra time.[/p]
[p]Key Players to Watch and Missing Players[/p]
[p]Jorge de Frutos scored Rayoās last home goal in a 1-1 draw against Celta Vigo and has now won or drawn each of his last 15 goalscoring appearances (W13, D2). Besart Ibraimi also has an excellent record in this regard, having gone unbeaten in his last 13 such games (W12, D1), while he registered a goal involvement in each of ShkĆ«ndijaās last three European qualifiers this summer.Ā [/p]
[p]Neither team seem to have suffered any fresh injuries during or since their weekend fixtures.Ā [/p]
[p]For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.[/p]
[p]Betting Analysis[/p]
[p]Given Rayo have not led at half-time in any of their last eight matches at any venue, opting for draw/Rayo in the half-time/full-time market might be worthwhile.Ā [/p]
[p][i]Author: Alex Bowmer[/i][/p]