AZ Alkmaar vs Anderlecht Match Analysis & Prediction

20/04/2023 7:45 pm

Belgian outfit Anderlecht carry a 2-0 advantage into the second leg of their Europa Conference League quarter-final tie with Dutch side AZ Alkmaar.
The two sides will renew acquintances at AFAS Stadion on Thursday, with the winner facing the victor of the clash between West Ham United and Gent in the semi-finals.
AZ bounced back with a dominant 3-0 victory at Fortuna Sittard on Sunday, through goals from Jens Odgaard, Milos Kerkez and Vangelis Pavlidis, with Pascal Jansen’s side cementing fourth place in the Eredivisie table.
Although the Cheeseheads managed to win just one of their last five matches across all competitions, Sunday’s victory will give them confidence ahead of the second leg.
Including qualifiers, AZ have won 12 of their 15 European matches this season, scoring at least two goals in 10 of those victories.
Anderlecht head into the second leg off the back of a 5-2 defeat to Genk, as the Belgian Pro League leaders kept the Purple & White in 10th place on Sunday.
However, it is worth noting that Anderlecht carried a seven-game unbeaten run into Sunday’s contest, having recorded five wins and two draws across all competitions.
Brian Riemer’s side also kept six consecutive clean sheets before losing to Genk, so they will be eager to put the defeat behing them as quickly as possible and rediscover their impressive recent form.
Having lost just three of their last 17 matches across all competitions, Anderlecht will be hopeful of booking their spot in the Europa Conference League semi-finals.
AZ Alkmaar vs. Anderlecht Head to head
These two teams have previously met on just three occasions, with AZ claiming two victories while Anderlecht won once.
-
16/02/2012AZ1Anderlecht0Europa League
-
23/02/2012Anderlecht0AZ1Europa League
-
13/04/2023Anderlecht2AZ0Europa Conference League
-
20/04/2023N/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
-
20/04/2023AZN/AAnderlechtN/AEuropa Conference League
AZ Alkmaar Team News
AZ look set to be without key winger Jesper Karlsson for the second leg, as the Sweden international has missed the past two matches due to injury.
As a result, Vangelis Pavlidis will continue to lead AZ’s attack, with Jens Odgaard, Sven Mijnans and Myron van Brederode expected to operate behind the lone striker.
AZ Alkmaar's Last 5 Matches
-
19/03/2023Twente2AZ1Eredivisie
-
01/04/2023AZ1Heerenveen1Eredivisie
-
08/04/2023AZ0Sparta Rotterdam1Eredivisie
-
13/04/2023Anderlecht2AZ0Europa Conference League
-
16/04/2023Fortuna Sittard0AZ3Eredivisie
Anderlecht Team News
Anderlecht will be without playmaker Yari Verschaeren for the remainder of the season as he nurses an ACL tear, while midfielder Adrien Trebel is also sidelined through injury.
Centre-back Jan Vertonghen will continue alongside Zeno Debast in defence, while Amadou Diawara and Lior Refaelov are expected to join Majeed Ashimeru in midfield.
Anderlecht's Last 5 Matches
-
19/03/2023OH Leuven0Anderlecht2First Division A
-
02/04/2023AS Eupen0Anderlecht1First Division A
-
09/04/2023Anderlecht0Westerlo0First Division A
-
13/04/2023Anderlecht2AZ0Europa Conference League
-
16/04/2023Genk5Anderlecht2First Division A
AZ Alkmaar vs. Anderlecht: Odds and Predictions
Main Prediction
1X2: 1
Best Odds
200% bonus up to Ksh 26,280
Register at Melbet and get a 200% first deposit bonus of up to 26,280 KES
CLAIM BONUS