Athletic play their first European game of the campaign at San Mames, with their goal being to return to their own stadium for the final in 2025. Our Athletic Club vs AZ Alkmaar prediction and Europa League betting tips consider whether they’ll be able to collect maximum points here.
Contents
Athletic Club vs AZ Alkmaar prediction: Goals to flow in home win
Key stats
- Our Athletic Club vs AZ Alkmaar betting tips take into account that the Basques have only lost one of their last 27 home fixtures in all competitions.
- All of AZ’s last four matches have seen goals for both teams.
- The Dutch side average 2.5 goals scored per game this term.
Correct score prediction: Athletic Club 3-2 AZ Alkmaar
AZ have shown plenty of attacking intent and quality in recent weeks, scoring nine times in a league game last month, while they were 3-2 winners in their Europa League opener.
This is a tricky match though, away to a confident Athletic side that is in good form and really motivated to do well in this competition. The hosts should emerge victorious in a game with goals.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Hosts expected to triumph at San Mames
- HOME: 4/6 (1.67) – 60.0%
- DRAW: 14/5 (3.80) – 26.3%
- AWAY: 4/1 (5.00) – 20.0%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
The hosts are the favourites according to the Athletic Club vs AZ Alkmaar odds with an implied probability of 60.0% that they win this match.
Ernesto Valverde’s side looked to be heading for victory at the weekend, but conceded a 93rd minute own goal to only draw with Sevilla.
As for AZ, they head into this following a 2-1 home defeat against Utrecht, despite a goal from Troy Parrott.
For more of the best picks, today’s free football betting tips look at the upcoming action in Europe and beyond.
Most recent H2Hs: Clubs meet again nine years on
Our Athletic Club vs AZ Alkmaar prediction suggests the Basques will emerge victorious, but it was AZ who had the better of the only previous meetings.
They took four points off Athletic in the group stage of the 2015/16 Europa League, winning 2-1 at home and drawing 2-2 in Bilbao.
UEFA Europa League 10/12/15
Athletic Bilbao
AZ
UEFA Europa League 01/10/15
AZ
Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Club preview: Valverde missing three
There’ll be no Unai Simon, Yeray Alvarez or Benat Prados for Athletic with all three currently injured. Oihan Sancet is also a fitness concern.
Predicted Lineup: Agirrezabala (GK), Yuri, Paredes, Vivian, Gorosabel, Vesga, Ruiz de Galarreta, Nico Williams, Gomez, Djalo & Guruzeta
UEFA Europa League 03/10/24 W AZ 0 Athletic Bilbao 2 Spain La Liga 29/09/24 D Sevilla 1 Athletic Bilbao 1 UEFA Europa League 26/09/24 D Roma 1 Athletic Bilbao 1 Spain La Liga 22/09/24 W Celta Vigo 1 Athletic Bilbao 3 Spain La Liga 19/09/24 W Leganes 0 Athletic Bilbao 2
AZ Alkmaar preview: Injury concerns for the visitors
The Dutch side are expected to be without the injured Sem Westerveld, Lewis Schouten and Ibrahim Sadiq.
Predicted Lineup: Owusu-Oduro (GK), Wolfe, Penetra, Goes, Maikuma, Clasie, Koopmeiners, Van Bommel, Mijnans, Addai & Parrott
UEFA Europa League 03/10/24 L Athletic Bilbao 2 AZ 0 Netherlands Eredivisie 29/09/24 L FC Utrecht 2 AZ 1 UEFA Europa League 25/09/24 W Elfsborg 2 AZ 3 Netherlands Eredivisie 20/09/24 W PEC Zwolle 1 AZ 2 Netherlands Eredivisie 14/09/24 W Heerenveen 1 AZ 9 
Player to watch – Nico Williams
Unquestionably one of the best players in this season’s Europa League, Nico Williams is hoping to fire his boyhood club to glory. The Spain international hasn’t been in the best of form yet this term, with just one goal and no assists in La Liga.
More to come from Nico
The winger is averaging 1.7 dribbles, 1.3 key passes and 1.7 shots per game in La Liga. Those figures are all down on what he managed last season.
