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Once in a while, world soccer provides an unexpected treat. European clashes between English and Spanish sides more conjure up visions of Liverpool-Real Madrid, or Man United-Barcelona\u2026but Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano in a final at Leipzig? Thank the relatively-new UEFA Conference League (in its fifth edition) for providing this extra platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Crystal Palace’s Current Form<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Perhaps we shouldn\u2019t be surprised to see Palace in another finale\u2026after all, that\u2019s what Oliver Glasner sides seem to do, for a fourth time since 2022, either in domestic cups or Europe (in the case of the latter a Europa League title with Eintracht Frankfurt back in 2022).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The tale of Palace this season actually begins with its inclusion in this competition as opposed to the Europa League, which last May\u2019s FA Cup title (under Glasner again) should have provided\u2026except that UEFA\u2019s multi-team ownership guidelines, and owner John Textor\u2019s interest in Ligue Un\u2019s Lyon (also in the Europa), demoted Palace to the Conference League.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The transfer outflow removed key cogs midfielder Eberechui Eze (to Arsenal) in the summer and defender Marc Gu\u00e9hi (to Man City) in January, plus Glasner\u2019s mid-January announcement that he would be departing after the conclusion to the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The latter in particular created much unease for a time in the winter as Palace\u2019s form dropped, but staying clear of the drop zone could focus energies on Europe, where Palace has hit some high notes in this competition, especially when comfortably seeing off Fiorentina and Shakhtar Donesk in recent knockout phases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jean-Philppe Mateta, Senegal international Ismalia Sarr, plus Spain international Y\u00e9remy Pino, provide a consistent cutting on the frontline that will require attention from Rayo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rayo Vallencano’s Current Form<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
We suspect, however, this price undervalues Rayo, maybe the most unlikely European finalist in memory, from its small corner of Madrid but having forged quite a spirit under manager I\u00f1igo P\u00e9rez, who has blended a unique and far-flung mix of weapons from the likes of right back Andrei Ratiu, atatcking midfielder Isi Palaz\u00f3n (scorer of two goals in the 4-3 quarterfinal aggregate win over AEK Athens; apparently off suspension for the final) striker Jorge De Frutos (who just missed inclusion into Spain\u2019s World Cup squad), and cannon-like blasts from defender Florian Lejeune.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rayo, which like Palace needs a win to reach next fall\u2019s Europa League, is working on nine straight results into Wednesday, and this doesn\u2019t look a case like a year ago, when EPL\u2019s Chelsea was the clear class of the competition, and saw off another Liga side (Real Betis) in the finale\u2026the first time a Spanish entry had lost a European finale after 19 straight wins vs. non-Spanish sides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Crystal Palace vs Rayo Vallecano Prediction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
We are very tempted by the Rayo win price of +320 but a more-prudent investment might be Rayo on the goal spread +0.5 goals at -110\/115<\/strong> (in 90 minutes), as the Vallecas side has proven adept at grinding out results, and opposing the 15th-place EPL entry doesn\u2019t suggest the class divide we saw with Chelsea a year ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Similarly, if looking for a higher price, the 90-minute Draw at +235\/240 intrigues<\/strong> as a separate punt, and not inconsistent, from Rayo on the spread. For a real flyer on a supplemental play, you can find +500 on this match being decided on PKs<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n WagerTalk is the largest picks site online offering soccer FREE PICKS<\/a> every week as well as premium paid soccer picks<\/a> from expert professional sports bettors.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMore Soccer Picks and Predictions Today<\/a> at WagerTalk<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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