Ferencvaros welcome AZ Alkmaar to Budapest this Thursday night, with both sides hoping to book their places in the Europa League playoffs. Read on for our Ferencvaros vs AZ Alkmaar prediction and more.
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Ferencvaros vs AZ Alkmaar prediction: Is a draw enough?
Key facts:
- Ferencvaros have lost three of their last five.
- AZ Alkmaar's shock defeat to Sparta Rotterdam was the end of a 12 game unbeaten streak.
- Ferencvaros' Barnabas Varga is the joint-top Europa League scorer, with five goals.
Correct score prediction: Ferencvaros 1-1 AZ Alkmaar
Both sides come into this match close to securing their places in the Europa League playoffs. AZ sit on 11 points, meaning a point is likely enough.
Ferencvaros, however, have just nine, and a draw could potentially see them leapfrogged, if the likes of Porto and Twente perform.
The Hungarians likely need to go for it, but AZ will likely have enough quality to stop them claiming all three points.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Hard to split the two
- HOME: 11/8 – 42.1%
- DRAW: 12/5 – 29.4%
- AWAY: 15/8 – 34.8%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Ferencvaros are, by a narrow margin, the bookmakers' expected winner in this clash, with their 11/8 odds giving an implied 42.1% chance of victory. However, we think they a draw is likelier.
In any case, if you want to check out more predictions, take a look at our favourite betting tips for today.
Recent H2Hs: A maiden meeting
This match will be the first ever meeting between AZ and Ferencvaros, despite the pair being fairly regular in the Europa and Conference Leagues.
Ferencvaros preview: Need to raise the level
Ferencvaros, as mentioned above, have far more at stake in this game, but the Hungarians are in poorer form than their visitors.
They have lost their last two Europa League matches, conceding seven, without reply. They will hope to draw on their positive home performances, having only lost once (to Tottenham) on home soil all season.
Ferencvaros have had a full week to prepare for this match, and Robbie Keane's squad has a clean bill of health.
Predicted lineup: Dibusz (GK), Makreckis, Gartenmann, Cisse, Raul, Maiga, Fani, Toth, Saldanha, Varga, Malinowski
UEFA Europa League 20/02/25
L
Viktoria Plzen
3
Ferencvarosi TC
0
UEFA Europa League 13/02/25
W
Viktoria Plzen
0
Ferencvarosi TC
1
Hungary NB I 05/02/25
D
Zalaegerszegi TE
2
Ferencvarosi TC
2
UEFA Europa League 30/01/25
W
AZ
3
Ferencvarosi TC
4
UEFA Europa League 23/01/25
L
Eintracht Frankfurt
2
Ferencvarosi TC
0
AZ Alkmaar preview: Opportunity to bounce back
After avoiding defeat against PSV, Ajax, Utrecht and Roma, AZ slumped to a shock home defeat to Sparta Rotterdam on Sunday afternoon. Their visitors were winless in the league since September.
Troy Parrott and co have an opportunity to put that disappointment behind them on Thursday, by making it to the playoffs. After some weekend rotation, AZ will go full strength for this tricky away game.
This match will come too soon for wingers Ruben van Bommel and Ibrahim Sidiq.
Predicted lineup: Owusu-Oduro (GK), Maikuma, Goes, Penetra, Moller-Wolfe, Koopmeiners, Clasie, Poku, Mijnans, Lahdo, Parrott
Netherlands Eredivisie 13/04/25
L
Heracles
1
AZ
0
Netherlands Eredivisie 05/04/25
L
Feyenoord
1
AZ
0
Netherlands Eredivisie 01/04/25
D
RKC
2
AZ
2
Netherlands Eredivisie 29/03/25
D
NEC
3
AZ
3
Netherlands Eredivisie 16/03/25
D
Ajax
2
AZ
2
Player to watch: Barnabas Varga
Our player to watch is Europa League top scorer Barnabas Varga, of Ferencvaros.
The 30-year-old Hungarian international has scored seven in his last seven, is his side's best player, and will be desperate to deliver the goods for his club.