Two teams firmly in contention for a guaranteed place in the knockout stages of the 2025-26 Conference League are in action on Thursday as AZ Alkmaar welcome Jagiellonia to the AFAS Stadion.
Albeit depending on results elsewhere, the sides have the opportunity to move into the top eight of the league phase with a victory here, leaving both of them with no need for any added incentive.
Contents
- 1 AZ Alkmaar vs Jagiellonia prediction: More continental joy on home turf for De Kaasboeren
- 2 Most recent H2Hs: Sides set for the first instalment of this fixture
- 3 AZ Alkmaar preview: Mexx Meerdink unable to build on impressive qualifying run
- 4 Jagiellonia preview: Can Jesus Imaz deliver in Europe once again?
- 5 Player to watch – Sven Mijnans
AZ Alkmaar vs Jagiellonia prediction: More continental joy on home turf for De Kaasboeren
Key stats
- AZ Alkmaar are unbeaten in their last three matches.
- Six of the last eight games involving the hosts have seen them concede first while also yielding at least three goals.
- Jagiellonia are winless in five outings, four of which they have failed to keep a clean sheet.
Correct score prediction: AZ Alkmaar 3-1 Jagiellonia
AZ have won all five European matches on home turf this season by a combined score of 15-1, but Jagiellonia are yet to lose on the continental scene away from home.
Still, Thursday's trip to Alkmaar represents the visitors' toughest Conference League assignment, and we can see them coming up short when all is said and done.
Pre-game odds and win probability: AZ fancied by a considerable distance
- HOME: 4/7 (1.57) – 63.6%
- DRAW: 16/5 (4.20) – 23.8%
- AWAY: 17/4 (5.25) – 19%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Since amassing just three points from their first three group-stage matches, AZ Alkmaar have picked up maximum points from their next two outings and are favourites to get the job done here, judging by their 63.6% win probability.
Maarten Martens's men made light of Drita en route to a 3-0 triumph last time out to maintain their unbeaten streak in December.
Jagiellonia, on the other hand, recently snapped a three-game losing streak by playing out a 1-1 draw against Motor Lublin.
However, any hopes of a return to winning ways on Thursday appear slim with Adrian Siemieniec's men given only a 19% chance of winning.
For more from the upcoming matches, today’s free football betting tips look at some of the best picks.
Most recent H2Hs: Sides set for the first instalment of this fixture
Before this season, AZ Alkmaar and Jagiellonia had never featured in the same Conference League tournament, and it is no surprise that Thursday's upcoming encounter pits the teams against each other for the first time.
AZ Alkmaar preview: Mexx Meerdink unable to build on impressive qualifying run
After racking up three goals and two assists to help AZ book their place in the Conference League, Meerdink has featured just once in the competition proper due to a groin injury he suffered in October.
Also unavailable for the hosts are Jordy Clasie, Denso Kasius and Seiya Maikuma
Predicted lineup: Owusu-Oduro (GK), De Wit, Goes, Penetra, Chavez, Koopmeiners, Mijnans, Smit, Weslley, Parrott & Jensen
AZ Alkmaar's last five matches:
- Drita 0-3 AZ Alkmaar (Conference League)
- AZ Alkmaar 2-2 Go Ahead Eagles (Eredivisie)
- Zwolle 1-3 AZ Alkmaar (KNVB Beker)
- Twente 1-0 AZ Alkmaar (Eredivisie)
- AZ Alkmaar 2-0 Shelbourne (Conference League)
Jagiellonia preview: Can Jesus Imaz deliver in Europe once again?
Since joining Jagiellonia in 2019, Imaz has proven to be a reliable performer in European affairs, having recorded 12 goals and seven assists in 28 matches.
The 35-year-old midfielder was on target in his side's 2-1 defeat to Rayo Vallecano, but that was only his first strike in nine matches dating back to the end of October.
Predicted lineup: Abramowicz (GK), Wdowik, Stojinovic, Vital, Wojtuszek, Mazurek, Romanczuk, Imaz, Pozo, Pululu & Pietuszewski
Jagiellonia's last five matches:
- Motor Lubin 1-1 Jagiellonia (Ekstraklasa)
- Jagiellonia 1-2 Rayo Vallecano (Conference League)
- Termalica 1-1 Jagiellonia (Ekstraklasa)
- GKS Katowice 3-1 Jagiellonia (Polish Cup)
- Zaglebie 0-0 Jagiellonia (Ekstraklasa)
Player to watch – Sven Mijnans
Now up to nine goals and eight assists across all competitions for the season, Mijnans is just two direct goal contributions away from matching his tally from the 2024-25 campaign.
The Dutchman opened the scoring in AZ's most recent win over Drita for his fifth strike in seven matches since the start of November.
Leading his side in Conference League goals this term, Mijnans will be keen to add to his tally.