AZ Alkmaar vs Shakhtar: prediction, H2H and probable lineups — 16.04.2026
One of the return legs in the Conference League quarter-finals will take place on Thursday in Alkmaar at the AFAS Stadium, where AZ will host Shakhtar Donetsk. The Dutch side faces a daunting deficit to overturn, making the match scenario and potential bets on the outcome especially intriguing.
Match preview
AZ found themselves in a tough spot after the first leg, where a 0-3 defeat was the result of a late collapse. For much of the game, there was parity on the pitch, but the opposition capitalized on nearly every chance they created, leaving the Dutch side with a heavy burden for the return fixture.
It’s important to note that the Alkmaar side remains a formidable force on home turf. Recent results back this up: victories over Heerenveen (3-0) and Fortuna (2-0), as well as emphatic wins in European competition, including 4-0 routs of Noah and Sparta Prague. With the backing of their fans, AZ are capable of relentless attacking pressure.
Shakhtar enter the match with the composure of a team in control and adept at playing to the scoreboard. Arda Turan’s squad has lost just once since November, and ahead of this clash, they produced two trademark league performances: a confident 3-0 win over Rukh and a high-scoring 2-2 draw with LNZ in the race for the top spot.
What’s more, the Ukrainian club consistently finds the net regardless of venue. In 2026, Shakhtar have scored in nine consecutive matches, and in European away games they regularly hit at least two goals, making them especially dangerous for a side forced to push forward and take risks.
Probable lineups
- AZ Alkmaar: Owusu-Oduro, van Deijl, Penetra, Goes, de Wit, Mijnans, Smith, Dijkstra, Daal, Parrott, Jensen.
- Shakhtar: Riznyk, Tobias, Bondar, Matviyenko, Pedrinho, Ocheretko, Santana, Bondarenko, Neverton, Elias.
Match facts and head-to-head
- The first leg ended with a convincing 3-0 win for Shakhtar.
- AZ have won their last seven home games in all competitions, regularly scoring at least two goals.
- Shakhtar have found the net in nine straight matches and have suffered just one defeat since November.
Prediction
AZ are almost certain to start with aggressive pressing, banking on an early goal and trying to shift the psychological momentum of the tie. The Dutch are experts at ramping up the tempo at home and can suffocate opponents with relentless pressure, but inevitably leave space behind their defenders. Shakhtar, in their current form, look too organized and pragmatic to squander such a commanding advantage. The most likely scenario is an open, high-scoring match where the hosts could snatch a win, but the Ukrainian side should progress over two legs.
