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Still seeking their first win of the 2026-27 Europa League campaign, Ararat-Armenia face off against AZ Alkmaar on Thursday.
While the hosts are yet to get going in Europe, the visitors bounced back from an opening-day defeat to secure maximum points on matchday two.
Read our Ararat-Armenia vs AZ Alkmaar prediction, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Ararat-Armenia vs. AZ Alkmaar key stats
- AZ Alkmaar have conceded in seven of their last eight outings.
- Ararat-Armenia have opened the scoring in four of their last five matches.
- Ararat-Armenia are unbeaten in nine of their 10 home games this season.
Ararat-Armenia vs. AZ Alkmaar preview: More away blues for AZ?
Ararat-Armenia vs. AZ Alkmaar — Tale of the Tape
| Ararat-Armenia | vs | AZ Alkmaar |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd (Armenian Premier League) | Position | 2nd (Eredivisie) |
| 23 | Points | 20 |
| 19 | Goals For | 20 |
| 9 | Goals Against | 10 |
| 4 | Clean Sheets | 3 |
| 4th | Home / Away Rank | 4th |
AZ Alkmaar’s 1-0 defeat to Sunderland in their Europa League opener ended a 19-game unbeaten streak, and Leeroy Echteld’s side have looked shaky ever since. Their subsequent four matches have included a 2-0 loss to Feyenoord and, most recently, a 2-2 draw with Cambuur.
However, sandwiched between those results was a 2-1 win over Hapoel Be’er Sheva, with Mexx Meerdink’s penalty 13 minutes from time securing victory for De Kaasboeren and igniting their continental campaign.
After starting the season with three clean sheets in their first four outings, AZ have become uncharacteristically vulnerable at the back, recording just one clean sheet in their last eight matches, which came at home to Cambuur.
Thursday’s visitors have also struggled on the road lately, failing to win any of their last three away games (D1, L2) after victories in each of their opening four trips away from the AFAS Stadion this season.
Kees Smit, who provided a team-high four assists during AZ’s last Conference League campaign, remains a big miss, although the talented 20-year-old appears close to returning to action.
Making their debut in a major European tournament after narrowly edging out Universitatea Craiova in the playoffs, Ararat-Armenia have endured a tough start, suffering two defeats from two outings by a combined score of 7-2.
While their European campaign has faltered, Manuel Tulipa’s side have impressed domestically, recording seven wins and two draws from 10 outings, including a 1-0 victory over BKMA Yerevan on Sunday.
The Black and Whites’ loss to Sparta Prague in their Europa League debut remains their only defeat in the last 10 home matches at both the Football Academy Stadium and Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium, the latter serving as their European venue.
Thursday’s hosts are also on a run of ten consecutive home matches – and 12 overall – with at least a goal, which shows that they have enough firepower to put AZ under pressure, provided their defence can cope with the Dutch outfit’s attacking threat.
Ararat-Armenia vs. AZ Alkmaar form guide & betting tips
| Ararat-Armenia | vs | AZ Alkmaar |
|---|---|---|
W
W
D
L
W
|
Form |
L
W
L
W
D
|
| 10 | Goals For | 5 |
| 3 | Goals Against | 6 |
LL |
Europa League | L
W
|
Whispers predicts: Ararat-Armenia 1-3 AZ Alkmaar
A third straight League Phase defeat would seriously jeopardise Ararat-Armenia's chances of reaching the knockout stages, so a strong performance is imperative. That said, we are backing AZ to come out on top at 27/50 (1.54).
An away win plus a clean sheet might be too much to expect from AZ, so BTTS – Yes at 2/3 (1.67) is favoured to land.
With five of the hosts' last seven matches – including friendlies – producing three or more goals, over 2.5 goals at 29/50 (1.58) looks a strong option.
> Match result — AZ Alkmaar to win at 27/50 (1.54) | Likelihood: Likely
> BTTS – Yes at 2/3 (1.67) | Likelihood: Probable
> Over 2.5 goals at 29/50 (1.58) | Likelihood: Likely