Preview:Hacken vs Rayo Vallecano – prediction, team news

Rayo Vallecano will attempt to record a fourth consecutive victory when they travel to Sweden for Thursday’s Conference League clash against Hacken. 

As for the hosts, they will head into their second league phase game with aspirations of extending their four-game unbeaten run across all competitions. 

Match preview

Hacken are making their first appearance in the Conference League main draw despite starting their European journey in the Europa League.

The Swedish outfit successfully navigated two rounds of Europa League qualifying, before a defeat to Brann forced them to drop down to the Conference League playoff round. 

Hacken picked themselves up from that disappointment to pull off a 7-3 aggregate win over CFR Cluj to advance to the main draw of a UEFA competition for the second time in three seasons. 

Jens Gustafsson’s charges had to settle for a goalless away draw in their opening league phase game against Shelbourne, with that result forming part of a four-game unbeaten run (W2, D2).

They followed their league phase opener with a 3-1 victory over Brommapojkarna in the Allsvenskan, before returning from the international window with a 1-1 draw against Sirius to leave them in ninth position with three league games left to play.

With little to play for in the Allsvenskan, Hacken’s full focus will be on their league phase campaign and their quest to clinch their first victory in the main draw of a UEFA competition after failing in their first seven attempts (D1, L6).

Rayo are participating in European competition for the first time since embarking on a memorable run to the 2000-01 UEFA Cup quarter-finals.

Inigo Perez’s side sealed their place in the main draw with a comfortable 5-0 aggregate victory over Neman Grodno in the playoff round, before they kicked off the league phase with a 2-0 home victory over Shkendija of North Macedonia earlier this month. 

That result ended a five-game winless run and sparked an upturn in fortunes that has seen Rayo claim back-to-back away victories in La Liga.

After edging out Real Sociedad before the international window, Rayo returned to action with a commanding 3-0 victory in Sunday’s away meeting with newly-promoted Levante.

Jorge de Frutos netted a brace before Alvaro Garcia netted his 29th top-flight goal to become the club’s leading scorer in La Liga history. 

Having won their last three games without conceding, Rayo will be looking to produce another strong defensive display on Thursday, especially as they are yet to concede in Europe this season. 

Hacken Conference League form:

D

Hacken form (all competitions):

L W W D W D

Rayo Vallecano Conference League form:

W

Rayo Vallecano form (all competitions):

D L L W W W

Team News

Hacken are without the injured trio of Peter Abrahamsson, Leo Vaisanen and Jacob Barrett Laursen, who have all been left out of the Conference League squad.

Forward Amor Layouni is at risk of missing Thursday’s fixture, having sat out the last three competitive matches with a calf problem. 

In positive news, defender Brice Wembangomo should be among the substitutes after making his return from a long injury layoff at the weekend. 

As for the visitors, Abdul Mumin is continuing to work his way back from a long-term knee injury, while Luiz Felipe is not quite ready to return from a hamstring problem.

Rayo are also unable to call upon defender Nobel Mendy and attacking midfielder Randy Nteka, who are both ineligible after being omitted from Rayo’s Conference League squad.

Perez could be tempted to freshen up his side with a number of changes, with Ivan Balliu, Jozhua Vertrouwd, Pacha Espino, Pathe Ciss, Isi Palazon and Sergio Camello all vying for starting spots.

Hacken possible starting lineup:

Berisha; Lindberg, Lode, Helander, Lundkvist; Gustafson, Rygaard, Andersen; Svanback, Al Saed, Brusberg

Rayo Vallecano possible starting lineup:

Batalla, Balliu, Lejeune, Vertrouwd, Pacha; Ciss, Valentin; De Frutos, Palazon, Perez; Camello

We say: Hacken 0-1 Rayo Vallecano

Rayo will be in high spirits after putting together a three-game winning run, and while they will face a tricky test on Thursday, we think they will produce a professional away performance to claim a narrow victory to maintain their 100% record in Europe this season. 

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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