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AZ Alkmaar will need to produce one of the all-time great European comebacks this Thursday night as they look to overturn a 3-0 deficit to Shakhtar Donetsk in the second leg of their Europa Conference League quarter-final.
The Ukrainian outfit dominated proceedings in the opening leg, moving a huge step closer to their first major European semi-final in six years.
The Cheese Farmers, on the other hand, have got the small matter of a Dutch Cup final on Sunday, meaning they could certainly do with a confidence-boosting result.
Check out our prediction, preview and betting tips, including the latest odds. If you want more, make sure to visit our ‘Today’s Betting Tips’ page for more expert predictions.
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AZ Alkmaar vs Shakhtar Donetsk key stats
- AZ Alkmaar are unbeaten at home in 15 European games.
- Not even one of AZ’s previous six matches have seen both teams score.
- Shakhtar Donetsk have progressed from all eight previous European ties, which saw them win the first leg by three goals.
- Shakhtar are also unbeaten in eight Europa Conference League away matches this season.
AZ Alkmaar vs Shakhtar Donetsk: Visitors looking to finish the job
| AZ Alkmaar | vs | Shakhtar Donetsk |
|---|---|---|
| 6th (Eredivisie) | Position | 2nd (Ukranian Premier League) |
| 48 | Points | 51 |
| 52 | Goals For | 53 |
| 45 | Goals Against | 14 |
| 4th | Home Rank | 1st |
| 8th | Away Rank | 4th |
AZ Alkmaar’s dreams of a maiden European trophy appear to have already gone up in smoke following a crushing 3-0 defeat in the opening leg of this quarter-final.
Perhaps the most painful aspect of the loss was the fact that all three goals were scored after the 70th minute mark - a 20 minute spell which has now left head coach Lee-Roy Echteld facing a conundrum.
AZ could risk everything and attempt to create history by producing one of the greatest European comebacks ever. Alternatively, they could rest players, forgo their European adventure, and focus on the Dutch Cup final on Sunday.
Playing at home will give the hosts some level of comfort, with the team winning seven straight games at the AFAS Stadion and going nine matches unbeaten.
Another noteworthy stat is that two of their last three home victories have come by three or more goals - exactly the margin they require to stand any chance of qualification.
If anyone is to give AZ hope, it could be Republic of Ireland striker Troy Parrott, who has scored 29 goals across all competitions this season - this includes a strike against Heerenveen last weekend.
When it comes to Shakhtar, the chief protagonist is Brazilian forward Alisson, who bagged two of the goals in the opening leg.
That victory was Shakhtar’s seventh success in nine matches across all competitions, underlining their impressive recent form.
Scoring goals has not been a problem for the Miners, who have rattled the net exactly three times in half of their last six outings - this includes two of their last three games in Europe.
It has been six years since the Ukrainian powerhouse last reached a major European semi-final, but having remained unbeaten across their eight away Conference League matches this season, hopes are certainly high.
If that was not enough, Shakhtar have also scored two or more goals in each of their previous five away Conference League fixtures.
AZ Alkmaar vs Shakhtar Donetsk form guide & betting tips
| AZ Alkmaar | vs | Shakhtar Donetsk |
|---|---|---|
| W-L-W-L-W | Form | W-L-W-W-D |
| 9 | Goals For | 10 |
| 6 | Goals Against | 4 |
| W-L-W-L-W | Form (All Competitions) | W-L-W-W-D |
Whispers predicts: AZ Alkmaar 2-1 Shakhtar Donetsk
The task ahead of AZ is massive, but considering their recent run of results at home, they should give it a good go.
The hosts are priced at around even money to win on the night, which is a sensational value bet.
Both teams to score is not as tasty when looking at the 31/50 odds, but considering the hosts need to attack and the visitors are dangerous on the counter, it is a smart play.
The over 2.5 goals bet offers more value at 7/10, and it has landed in six of AZ’s previous seven home games.
> Match result - AZ Alkmaar at 1/1 | Likelihood: Probable
> Both teams to score at 31/50 | Likelihood: Probable
> Over 2.5 goals at 7/10 | Likelihood: Probable