Rayo Vallecano approaches the return leg in excellent form and with a serious sense of urgency. The Spaniards are unbeaten in five games, with a strong 3-0 win over Real Oviedo and a convincing 1-1 draw away to Sevilla being the highlight. But their biggest asset is their 3-1 rout of Samsunspor in the first leg on Turkish soil. Rayo has already demonstrated their ability to penetrate opponents' defenses and are comfortable in the rhythm of European competition, and with a home crowd supporting them, they should look even more confident.
Samsunspor aren't exactly hopeless, but the Turkish team's form has been extremely inconsistent. On the one hand, they have won two of their last three league matches (2-1 against Kayserispor and a cup victory over Antalyaspor). On the other hand, the 3-2 defeat to Fenerbahçe and the crushing defeat to Rayo in the first leg demonstrate that the Turks are facing serious problems against top opponents. To recover two goals away from home, Samsunspor will need to take risks and push forward, which will only increase the pressure on their less-than-reliable defense.
Considering Rayo's colossal 3-1 lead after the first leg and the fact that the Spaniards haven't lost at home for several months, there's virtually no doubt the hosts' ultimate success will be a success. Rayo Vallecano are in complete control of the situation and, even if they concede a goal, are capable of quickly restoring the status quo thanks to their superior quality. However, a bet on a goal exchange is also worth considering, as the hosts rarely keep a clean sheet.
