AZ Alkmaar vs Elfsborg Match Analysis and Prediction

AZ vs Elfsborg Match Analysis & Prediction

25/09/2024 7:45 pm

Elfsborg

by Vincent

7 months ago 0 144

DISCLAIMER: All odds are quoted at time the prediction went live. Check the sports book for updated odds

AZ Alkmaar will play host to Elfsborg at the AFAS Stadion on the opening matchday of the 2024-25 Europa League on Wednesday.

Goals Over 2.5: Yes

Best Odds: 1.64

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Despite missing out on third place last season, which would have secured them a Champions League qualifying spot, to Twente, AZ’s league finish still ensured direct passage into the league phase of the Europa League.

Not playing any summer qualifiers has allowed manager Maarten Martens to focus solely on league matters in the opening six weeks of the season, and his side have taken full advantage.

Only a 100% start from PSV Eindhoven is stopping AZ from topping the Eredivisie table after six matches, as a goalless draw at Groningen are the only points they have dropped.

The 1981 finalists are back in this competition for the first time since 2020, when they were knocked out in the group stage, contributing to a run of just two wins in their last 10 Europa League matches.

This competition also saw them suffer their most embarrassing European defeat in their history, when they were beaten 11-2 on aggregate by Lyon in the last 16 back in 2017, losing 7-1 in the second leg.

Playing in the Conference League over the past three seasons has provided more success, as they reached the semi-finals in 2022-23, but they were eliminated in the groups last season.

Meanwhile, Elfsborg will take to the field in a European competition proper for the first time in 11 years in this one, as they are back in continental action after a Europa League group-stage exit in 2013-14.

On that occasion, Elfsborg took just one point from their opening five matches and were knocked out, and their draw this time around suggests they could find it difficult once again.

Oscar Hiljemark, who spent two years playing in Holland with PSV, will hope his side can transfer their domestic form onto the continent, as they have lost only once in their last 19 matches.

AZ vs. Elfsborg Head to head

This will be the first meeting between these two teams.

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Europa League

AZ Team News

AZ have a few injury concerns heading into this contest, with Bruno Martins Indi (hamstring) and Mees de Wit (foot) unlikely to recover in time to feature here, while young goalkeeper Sem Westerveld is also out.

Former Tottenham Hotspur forward Troy Parrott is set to make his European debut after coming in to replace Benfica-bound Vangelis Pavlidis over the summer.

AZ's Last 5 Matches

17/08/2024

AZ

1

NEC

0

Eredivisie
25/08/2024

Groningen

0

AZ

0

Eredivisie
30/08/2024

RKC Waalwijk

0

AZ

3

Eredivisie
14/09/2024

AZ

9

Heerenveen

1

Eredivisie
20/09/2024

PEC Zwolle

1

AZ

2

Eredivisie

Elfsborg Team News

Elfsborg will be able to recall Ibrahim Buhari to their defense after he served a domestic ban on Sunday, but Jens Thomasen will remain out with the injury he sustained against Brommapojkarna at the start of the month.

Arber Zeneli rejoined his boyhood club earlier this year, contributing to 13 goals from out wide so far, and the Kosovan international should play just ahead of his younger brother Besfort Zeneli.