Astana VS AZ Alkmaar Match Prediction

In the only previous match, AZ Alkmaar destroyed Astana 6-0.  Teun Koopmeiners led the way with two goals, while four others scored one apiece.     

AST vs AZA Betting Tips and Odds

Bet365 have the following odds available for this match:

Astana are at 5/1, a draw is at 10/3, and AZ are at 8/15.  

Group L currently sees a three-horse race developing.  Manchester United are top of affairs, leading with seven points after two wins and a draw to begin the group.  AZ are two points behind them on five, with a win and a couple of draws.  Then you’ve got Partizan on four points in third, giving them an outside shot.  Astana are the outsiders, with no points and in desperate need of something to go in their favor.  

Astana, despite their poor European record so far, have continued to dominate matters in Kazakhstan.  They are the champions elect of the division, since they have a four-point gap over Kairat with only a single match left to play.  It is their sixth consecutive Kazakhstan Premier League title win and gives them a chance to get into the Champions League via the qualifiers.  At home so far this term, they have 18 wins and just four losses.  

AZ Alkmaar will come into this match flying high in their domestic division, the Dutch Eredivisie as well.  They are six points back of leaders Ajax, but they do sit second, thanks in large part to that thumping win over PSV recently.  They have only lost twice in the league, so they have really done well and look to be on course to improve on last season.  Overall, they have six wins, three draws, and only one loss away from home this season.  

No for both sides scoring is at Ladbrokes for evens.  

Betfair have Boadu scoring anytime at 2.2.  

Astana vs AZ Alkmaar Prediction

AZ are really flying right now, and there is no reason to think it will come to an end.  They won’t have it all their way as they did a couple of weeks ago, but they find enough to take three points.  

Correct Score Prediction: Astana 0-2 AZ Alkmaar

Astana Team News

Roman Hryhorchuk is without striker Firmin Mubele due to a knee injury for this match as they look to take something for the first time in four matches.  

Astana Key Man

If there is a man that knows how to score goals in Kazakhstan, then it’s got to be Croatian Marin Tomasov.  He’s scored 19 goals in the league this season, giving you the belief that it’ll have to be him, if anyone, that steps up to lift them with a goal here.  Rangelo Janga is another man to watch as he looks to give them some outlet up top.  He’s put six goals into the back of the net in the domestic league, but can he add to it here in Europe?

Astana Team Form

Astana have four wins and a loss in their last five matches:

0-1 win at Tobol
0-1 win at Okzheptes
5-0 home win vs Aktobe
6-0 loss at AZ (UEL)
3-1 home win vs Kairat

Astana Predicted Starting Line up

Expected Line up: 4-3-3

AZ Alkmaar Team News

Arne Slot will only be missing attacker Albert Gudmundsson here due to injuries.

AZ Alkmaar Key Man

Striker Myron Boadu comes into this tie in very good form.  He’s got six Eredivisie goals on the season, including one that came in the win over Twente, and he also scored one of the six in the first meeting last month as well, making him a prime contender to watch here.  Of course, you also have to mention midfielder Teun Koopmeiners.  He’s scored five in the Netherlands, all from penalties, but he scored twice in the win at home in October, making him no doubt a marked man in Kazakhstan.  

AZ Alkmaar Team Form

AZ have three wins, a loss, and a draw in their last five matches:

3-0 home win vs Twente
0-4 win at PSV
6-0 home win vs Astana (UEL)
2-4 home loss vs Heerenveen
1-1 draw at Willem II

AZ Alkmaar Predicted Starting Line up

Expected Line up: 4-3-3

Astana are not doing well at all in the group, and common sense would dictate that this would not go well for them given how poorly they performed in the reverse fixture. With that said, they do have one saving grace: playing at home. They have been pretty good there of late, both domestically and in Europe. That gives them a chance to keep it tighter here, but it’s still AZ’s to lose.

Astana are still looking for their first point in the group, and they have a decent chance given that they have won four of their last five European matches.