Will AZ hold firm? Prediction for AZ Alkmaar vs Juventus
On November 5, AZ Alkmaar will host Turin side Juventus in the fourth round of the Europa League league phase. The teams are separated by just one point: the Italians sit seventh with seven points, while the Dutch side is 10th with six. Both teams are challenging for direct qualification to the round of 16, but they come into the match on the back of mixed results in their domestic leagues.
AZ Alkmaar: a home fortress and problems in the Eredivisie
Leroy Echteld's side began their European campaign with a 0-1 defeat to Sunderland, but then went on to claim two victories. First, the Dutch side beat Hapoel Be'er Sheva 2-1 before thrashing Ararat-Armenia 4-0. Brazilian winger Wesley Patati scored twice in the latter game. AZ's home record is particularly impressive: the club have gone unbeaten in their last 17 European home matches, winning 14 of them.
The situation in the Dutch league is significantly worse. The team have collected just one point in their last four matches, losing to Feyenoord 0-2, Twente 0-2 and Ajax 0-1. Ahead of the meeting with Juventus, the hosts sit fifth in the Eredivisie. Patati and Mexx Meerdink, who have both scored twice in the Europa League, are expected to feature in attack. Ayoub Oufkir returns from suspension, while the recovered Kees Smit could start on the bench.
Juventus: confident in Europe amid an injury crisis
The Turin side began their Europa League campaign with a 5-0 thrashing of NEC, then beat Celta 2-1 before drawing 2-2 with Rennes in the third round. Luciano Spalletti's team have lost just one of their last 10 European matches, scoring at least twice in eight of them. However, they have lacked consistency in Serie A: a 2-0 win over Lecce was followed by a 0-2 defeat to Genoa. Victory over Napoli 2-0 helped lift the mood.
The visitors' main problem is a long injury list. Manuel Locatelli, Kenan Yildiz, Khéphren Thuram, Francisco Conceição, Nico González, Zeki Çelik and Kamil Grabara are all in the treatment room. Weston McKennie, Juan Cabal and Kerim Alaybegović picked up injuries against Napoli but could still feature. Most of the attacking burden will fall on Randal Kolo Muani and Nick Woltemade, who with three goals is among the leading scorers in this season's Europa League.
Match facts and head-to-head record
- AZ are unbeaten in their last 17 European home matches, winning 14 of them
- Juventus have suffered just one defeat in their last 10 European matches
- The teams will meet for the first time in an official match
Can Juventus end the hosts' streak: prediction for AZ Alkmaar vs Juventus
Juventus look the stronger side thanks to their attacking output and experience on the international stage. However, the numerous injuries limit Spalletti's options, while an away trip to face an opponent with such an impressive home record promises to be a serious test.
AZ can take advantage of the visitors' personnel problems, but their own inconsistency in the league makes it difficult to regard the hosts as favorites. Both teams possess dangerous attacking players, but the balance of power points to a draw as the most likely outcome.
