CRYSTAL PALACE VS RAYO VALLECANO: 3 CONFERENCE LEAGUE FINAL TIPS FOR LEIPZIG SHOWDOWN
After a strange season of tempestuousness, infighting and managerial blowouts, Crystal Palace can still make it a memorable year with a first European trophy in their debut campaign on the continent.
They face Rayo Vallecano with both teams battling it out for Conference League glory, over £6.5 million in prize money and a spot in the Europa League next season.
We think the Eagles are good value to bag a third trophy in two years – but we have dug a little deeper to find some longer odds for you as well.
CRYSTAL PALACE VS RAYO VALLECANO: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
- Kick-off time: 20:00 BST
- Match date: Tue 27th May
- Venue: Red Bull Arena, Leipzig
- Competition: Europa Conference League
- How to watch: TNT Sports & HBO Max
- Form (last five league): CRY LDLDW / RAY WWDDW
- Match market: Click here
Tip 1 – Crystal Palace to win to-nil @ 17/10
Despite losing talismanic captain Marc Guehi to Manchester City in the January transfer window, the Eagles can boast one of the tightest defences in the Premier League with 51 goals conceded. That’s the joint eighth-best in the league.
Meanwhile, their opponents have found scoring goals hard work this year.
Rayo managed just 41 in La Liga, which is the fourth-fewest in the division, and they have hardly been banging them in in Europe either.
Oliver Glasner is likely to implement his fluid 3-5-2 system, which gives Palace added protection against a team that loves to play on the counter.
They also have the better team player-for-player. Over Evens for the Eagles to get over the line without conceding could warrant serious consideration.
Tip 2 – Jean-Phillipe Mateta to score @ 7/5
Jean-Philippe Mateta looks a standout anytime goalscorer pick, especially at the odds.
The centre forward finished the campaign with 16 goal contributions across 43 appearances in the Premier League and Conference League, scoring 13 times and adding four assists.
One of Mateta’s biggest strengths is his physical presence. Standing up centre-backs, holding the ball under pressure and dominating aerially, he gives defenders a constant problem.
Rayo’s backline will face a very different challenge to the technical forwards they usually encounter in La Liga and Mateta’s ability to win duels inside the penalty area could prove decisive.
With Palace likely to look for early crosses and direct service into the box, the final is set up well for Mateta.
Whether it’s a header from a set-piece, a close-range finish after a knockdown or simply overpowering a defender in a one-on-one battle, he has multiple routes to goal.
For bettors looking at the goalscorer markets, Mateta has all the attributes of a striker capable of delivering on the big stage.
Tip 3 – Ismaila Sarr over 1.5 shots on target @ 12/5
The Senegalese star man has had a very impressive season and has been a constant thorn in the side of opponents in Europe this year.
He averages 1.33 shots on target over the course of his Conference League campaign, scoring nine goals in that run.
Indeed, no player has scored more than the wide man. He tops the scoring charts in the competition.
Sarr managed an incredible eight shots in one game against AEK Athens. He backs himself in any game to find the target.
So do we. The stage is set for him and he’s likely to be one to watch. Well over 2/1 odds for him to have at least two shots on target is a big value play as a single or part of a Bet Builder.
Fancy all three of our Conference League final selections to land? You can combine them into a 19/1 Bet Builder by clicking here
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change
