Preview: AZ Alkmaar vs Shakhtar Donetsk – prediction, team news, lineups

Needing a uncommon comeback to maintain their Conference League hopes alive, AZ Alkmaar welcome Shakhtar Donetsk to AFAS Stadion for the second leg of their quarter-ultimate tie on Thursday.

The Dutch hosts enter this conflict with a 3-purpose deficit following final week’s 3-0 defeat in Krakowthe place each side confronted off within the first leg.

Match preview

Although Shakhtar appeared the stronger aspect in final week’s first leg, AZ regarded in management for lengthy durations earlier than the sport unraveled within the ultimate 18 minutes, with all three targets conceded throughout that spell, leaving the Alkmaar outfit with a mountain to climb on the AFAS on Thursday.

Having misplaced each earlier European ties during which they trailed by such a deficit after the primary leg, the Cheese Farmers should defy historical past, though the Dutch hosts’ dwelling file presents a level of encouragement, even when solely 5 of their final 13 continental victories on their very own turf (D2) have come by margins of not less than three targets.

There can also be latest inspiration for Lee Roy Echteld’s aspect, who recorded a 3-0 win over Heerenveen on the weekend, a end result that lifted them to sixth within the Eredivisie tableand a repeat of that scoreline right here would not less than pressure additional time.

That victory marked the membership’s seventh successive dwelling success on the AFAS, with every of the final three seeing AZ take a two-purpose lead into the interval, highlighting the significance of a quick begin in Thursday’s encounter.

A resolute defensive show can even be required if the Alkmaar aspect are to face any probability of development, given every of their final six matches has featured just one team scoring, which means all 4 of AZ’s wins in that run got here alongside clear sheets, three of which have been achieved by margins of three targets or extra.

On the verge of reaching a primary European semi-ultimate since their 2019-20 Europa League defeat to Inter Milan, Shakhtar maintain a commanding benefit due to Pedrinho’s 72nd-minute strike and Alisson Santana’s fast-fireplace brace within the first leg.

Confidence inside the guests’ camp needs to be excessive, because the Miners have progressed from all eight earlier European ties during which they secured a 3-purpose first-leg lead.

Shakhtar’s robust away file on this competitors additional strengthens their place, having gained their final 5 matches on their journeys within the Conference League and remaining unbeaten throughout all eight journeys within the competitors (W6, D2).

Hardly a press release displaying on their travels, however one which maintained momentum forward of Thursday’s encounter, Arda Turan‘s males have been held to a 2-2 draw at LNZ Cherkassy in Monday’s prime-of-the-desk conflict, regardless of taking the lead on two events by an Artur Ryabov personal purpose and an Eguinaldo strike.

That end result leaves Shakhtar second within the Ukrainian top-flight tabletrailing Cherkassy on head-to-head, whereas extending the Miners’ unbeaten run to a few matches, and they’ll hope that type counts on Thursday regardless of their earlier aggressive go to to AZ ending in a 2-1 defeat.

AZ Alkmaar Conference League type:

AZ Alkmaar type (all competitions):

Shakhtar Donetsk Conference League type:

Shakhtar Donetsk type (all competitions):

Team News

© Imago

AZ got here by the weekend victory with out contemporary issues, though they continue to be with out Peer Koopmeiners, Jizz Hornkamp and Denso Kasius, who’re all sidelined by harm.

Echteld’s aspect alternated between a 3-4-3 system within the first leg and a 4-2-3-1 form on the weekend, with Troy Parrott main the road and Sven Mijnans working behind him, and that mixture might be retained after their decisive contributions final trip.

Shakhtar might be with out their very own scorer from the earlier outing, as Eguinaldo was compelled off late in opposition to Cherkassy, ​​casting doubt over his availability for this encounter.

Isaque Silva can also be a priority following a concussion sustained within the first leg, whereas Dmytro Kryskiv and Marlon Gomes might each miss a sixth successive match.

AZ Alkmaar potential beginning lineup:

Zoet; Dijkstra, Goes, Penetra, De Wit; Classie, Smit; Jensen, Mijnans, Daal; Parrott

Shakhtar Donetsk potential beginning lineup:

Riznyk; Tobias, Bondar, Matviienko, Henrique; Ocheretko; Alisson, Pedrinho, Bondarenko, Newerton; Ok Elias

We say: AZ Alkmaar 3-1 Shakhtar Donetsk (Shakhtar to win 4-3 on combination)

AZ’s dwelling type suggests they’re able to making this a contest, however overturning a 3-purpose deficit in opposition to a aspect with such a powerful away file presents an enormous problem.

While the hosts might threaten a comeback, Shakhtar’s attacking consistency ought to guarantee they do sufficient to guard their benefit and progress.

For information evaluation of the most definitely outcomes, scorelines and extra for this match please click here.