Levi Rothermund
Rakow Czestochowa open their UEFA Conference League 2026/27 campaign at home against Valletta FC in the Second Qualifying Round. On paper, this looks like a mismatch, but Rakow have been inconsistent through their domestic preseason, drawing and losing games they were expected to win. That edge of unpredictability makes this slightly more interesting than the bookmakers’ 83% win probability suggests.
Watch Patryk Makuch for Rakow. He scored in their last recorded match and showed activity in the final third despite limited touches. For Valletta, the attacking unit has been quietly productive, winning their last two games 2-1 each, and whoever leads their press against a Rakow backline still finding its rhythm could cause early problems.
Hot stat: Rakow drew 2-2 against PSV in their most recent pre-tournament fixture, meaning they have already traded goals with a club ranked inside the global top 20. Valletta, by contrast, have faced opposition ranked no higher than the mid-thousands in world club rankings across all five of their recent matches.
| 🏆 Tournament: | UEFA Conference League 2026/27, Second Qualifying Round |
| 🏟 Venue: | Miejski Stadion Pilkarski Rakow w Czestochowie, Czestochowa |
| 🗓️ Date: | 23.07.2026 |
| ⏰ Time: | 18:30 CEST |
Rakow vs Valletta Prediction
Rakow should win this match, and we think they will. The Polish side operates a 4-3-3 with genuine European experience, and Valletta simply have not faced anything close to this level of opposition. The quality gap is real, even if Rakow’s recent form has been patchy.
The best value here sits in backing Rakow to win with goals. Their attacking shape in a 4-3-3 creates width and central overloads, and Valletta’s Maltese Premier League background offers little preparation for the pressing intensity they will face. We think Rakow win comfortably, likely scoring two or more without conceding, though a Valletta set-piece moment cannot be completely ruled out given how Rakow’s defensive unit has leaked goals recently, including a 3-4 defeat to Zulte Waregem and a 1-2 loss to Olympiacos.
Rakow average a moderate foul count but keep yellow cards low, suggesting a disciplined defensive approach. Their pass accuracy from the last match sits at around 80%, which is solid for a team still in preseason mode. Valletta’s stats from recent matches are minimal in the data available, but their results show they beat lower-ranked Maltese sides with a 2-1 scoreline repeatedly, which tells us they win narrow games against weak opponents rather than dominate them. That style will not translate well against Rakow’s physicality and European pedigree.
| 🔥Hot Tip: | Rakow to win to nil |
| ⚽Total Goals: | Over 2.5 |
| 💥Both Teams To Score: | No |
| 🎯Total Corners: | Over 7.5 |
Team Analysis
Rakow come into this tie with a mixed but telling recent run. They beat Puszcza 2-0 and held PSV to a 2-2 draw in what was a notable result for a club of their level. The loss to Olympiacos 1-2 and a chaotic 3-4 defeat to Zulte Waregem show their defensive vulnerabilities, particularly against teams who press high and move quickly. The 1-1 draw with GKS Katowice in their most recent outing was not ideal as a confidence builder, but it came in a domestic context where Dawid Kroczek was likely rotating his squad.
Valletta arrive on the back of their best run of the season. They beat Sliema Wanderers 2-1 and Balzan 2-1 in their two most recent matches, both in the Maltese league, and have won every game in the last 30 days. Before that, they drew 0-0 with Floriana and lost 0-2 to Hamrun, which puts their current momentum in perspective. Thane Micallef’s side uses a 3-4-3, which provides width in attack, but the system demands a lot from the wing-backs and could be exposed by Rakow’s forwards pressing in behind.
Pre-game Odds and Win Probability: Rakow the Favourite
- Moneyline Rakow 1.09 | Valletta 18.00
- Draw 8.00
- Over/Under Over 2.5 N/A | Under 2.5 N/A
- BTTS (both teams to score) Yes N/A | No N/A
The moneyline odds on Rakow sit around 1.08 to 1.12 across bookmakers, which reflects near-certainty from the market. Honestly, the value is thin on a straight Rakow win. The draw price at 8.00 to 8.50 is where the market offers room, but we would not chase it. The more interesting angle is the Asian handicap or a Rakow win to nil market, where the odds open up slightly. Valletta at 15.00 to 31.00 is a lottery ticket, not a serious bet.
Valletta. Source: Official Facebook
Possible Starting Lineups
Rakow Possible Starting Eleven
- GK: Tarik Karić
- DF: Bogdan Racovitan, Stratos Svarnas, Oskar Repka
- MF: Jean Carlos, Vladyslav Kochergin, Fran Tudor, Michael Ameyaw, Patryk Makuch
- FW: Jonatan Braut Brunes, Adin Molnar
Dawid Kroczek has two goalkeepers with recorded minutes here. Tarik Karić gets the nod based on playing time data. The backline of Racovitan, Svarnas, and Repka gives Rakow experience and physicality. In midfield, Kochergin and Jean Carlos both registered assists in the last match, making them the creative engine of the side. Makuch scored and remains the most direct goal threat from midfield. Up front, Molnar also netted, and Brunes offers movement and pressing from the left channel. Rakow will likely line up in a 4-3-3 or a compact 4-5-1 depending on how Kroczek reads the game.
Valletta Possible Starting Eleven
No confirmed player data is available for Valletta’s squad from recent matches. Their expected 3-4-3 formation under Thane Micallef should provide attacking width, but we cannot confirm individual starters from the data provided.
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Rakow. Source: Official Facebook
TipsGG Match Prediction
Rakow win this match. The class difference between a Polish Ekstraklasa club with recent European experience and a Maltese Premier League side is significant, and it will show on the pitch. Rakow scored against PSV and Olympiacos in preparation, which tells you their attack is functioning even if their defense has been leaky.
We think Rakow win 2-0 or 3-0, keeping a clean sheet against a Valletta attack that has only beaten Maltese opposition in recent weeks. The 4-3-3 structure gives Rakow the tools to overload Valletta’s 3-4-3 in wide areas, and their midfield trio of Kochergin, Jean Carlos, and Makuch should control the tempo from the first whistle. Valletta’s best hope is a set-piece or a moment of Rakow defensive sloppiness, but we would not back that at these prices.
