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As the business end of the season nears, 2009 UEFA Cup winners Shakhtar Donetsk take on Dutch outfit AZ Alkmaar in the UEFA Conference League quarter-final first leg at Krakow’s Synerise Arena – Henryk Reyman Municipal Stadium.
Shakhtar edged Lech Poznan 4-3 in the previous round, whereas AZ Alkmaar demolished Sparta Praha 6-1 on aggregate to progress to this stage.
View our Shakhtar Donetsk vs AZ Alkmaar preview, prediction and betting tips with the latest odds. Into the bargain, don’t forget to check out more expect prediction on our football betting tips page.
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Shakhtar Donetsk vs AZ Alkmaar key stats
- Shakhtar have five clean sheets in their last seven competitive games.
- AZ Alkmaar beat Shakhtar 5-2 on aggregate in the 2004/05 UEFA Cup quarter-finals.
- AZ have won four of their last five matches across all competitions.
Shakhtar Donetsk vs AZ Alkmaar preview: Miners to edge past Cheese Farmers
| Shakhtar Donetsk | vs | AZ Alkmaar |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd | Position | 6th |
| 50 | Points | 45 |
| 51 | Goals For | 49 |
| 12 | Goals Against | 45 |
| 14 | Clean Sheets | 7 |
| 1st | Home Rank | 5th |
| 5th | Away Rank | 7th |
*Figures accurate at the time of publishing.
Shakhtar Donetsk secured their last-eight spot with a 4-3 aggregate win over Lech Poznan, despite losing the return leg 2-1 in Krakow. The southern Polish city has been the Miners’ home of late.
Arda Turan’s men bounced back from their loss – a first in 16 competitive games – with a dominant 3-0 victory over Rukh Lviv in the Ukrainian Premier League.
Shakhtar have won six of their last seven competitive games.
Now begins their journey for a first European semi-final since 2020.
Key players sidelined for the designated hosts are Marlon Gomes and Dmytro Kryskiv. Alaa Ghram is serving a suspension.
Similarly, four players are absent for AZ, including the suspended Isak Jensen. Three other players out with injuries are Peer Koopmeiners, Rome Jayden and Jizz Hornkamp.
The Cheese Farmers smashed Sparta Prague 6-1 on aggregate to advance to this stage. They have now won five of their last seven European outings, with as many clean sheets in the process.
All four of AZ's previous defeats have come on the road.
However, their away record is of grave concern. The visitors have emerged triumphant in only one of their last five competitive trips.
Lee-Roy Echteld will be glad to return to AFAS Stadion to play the return leg.
Shakhtar Donetsk vs AZ Alkmaar form guide & betting tips
| Shakhtar | vs | AZ |
|---|---|---|
| W-W-W-L-W/td> | Form | W-W-W-L-W |
| 13 | Points | 10 |
| 6th | Form Table | 14th |
| 14 | Goals For | 13 |
| 8 | Goals Against | 8 |
Whispers Predicts: Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 AZ Alkmaar
Both teams to score at 4/7 offers clear and modest value, as this has occurred in seven of Shakhtar’s 10 Conference League games this season. The last time they met in the 2004/05, both teams found the net in an exciting two-legged encounter.
A bet that offers immense value is Eguinaldo to score at 11/4 for Shakhtar. Donetsk are unbeaten across the last 14 games he's scored in (W10, D4), including a brace in the 3-0 win over Rukh Lviv last matchday.
AZ have taken the most corners in the Conference League main draw this season (64). Backing Over 9.5 total corners at 1/1 could provide valuable dividends.
In total, at least three goals are expected to be scored – as has been the case in three of Shakhtar’s last five matches. Three of AZ’s last five competitive games have also produced similar results. Over 2.5 total goals at 8/11 provides incentive.
> Both teams to score at 4/7 | Likelihood: Probable
> Eguinaldo to score at 11/4 | Likelihood: Possible
> Over 9.5 total corners at 1/1 | Likelihood: Possible
> Over 2.5 total goals at 8/11 | Likelihood: Very likely