AZ Alkmaar vs Apollon prediction: EUROPE: Europa Conference League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2022-10-05 19:00.
Extending their perfect winning start to this UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) group stage (W2) would all-but secure AZ Alkmaar’s progression to the knockout phase at the half-way stage. Apollon Limassol stand in their way in what will be AZ’s first meeting with a Cypriot side, but an unbeaten competitive run since the opening Eredivisie round (W11, D2) and a ten-goal haul across the last three games (W3) suggests that they’ll be up to the challenge.
AZ can put Apollon virtually out of reach in pursuit of a ninth progression from their 14th European group stage with a victory that would extend the gap between the clubs to eight points. The UEFA Cup runners up of 1980/81 look primed to do exactly that having remained unbeaten across their last 21 European home games (W13, D8), while a stunning average of four goals per game across their four this season bills AZ as one of the UECL’s premier entertainers.
A couple of draws in the Cyprus First Division was enough to knock Apollon off their stride, yet they remain within touching distance of top spot as they seek a fifth Cypriot championship. Things haven’t been so rosy on the European front, with Apollon looking destined to fall at the group stage after only managing a goalless draw with Swiss relegation strugglers Vaduz before a 3-1 defeat by nomadic Ukrainians Dnipro-1.
Those results have left Apollon with a mountain to climb if they are to finally make it beyond a UEL group stage at the fifth time of asking, but with just two wins from their 13 all-time European away group games (W2, D2, L9), strengthening that push with a victory here seems unlikely at best. That’s not to mention the fact that Apollon are yet to score a goal after four UEFA H2Hs with Dutch opponents, losing each game while conceding a woeful three goals per-match on average.
Key battle: AZ’s Dani de Wit has a stunning six goals from eight European appearances this season with four coming at home and he also scored within three minutes in his last league appearance! Trying to thwart him will be Apollon’s Dutch defender Patrick Joosten, who surprisingly contributed to three goals against AZ during his Eredivisie days, yet only won once (W1, D3, L2).
Hot stat: Apollon have failed to win eight of their last nine matches in Europe (W1, D4, L4).