AZ Alkmaar vs Fenerbahce prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-11-06 20:00.
[p]Involved in the UEFA Europa League (UEL) for the first time since the 2020/21 season, AZ Alkmaar started their campaign with a victory on home soil against ten-man Elfsborg but have lost twice to nil on their travels since then. As a result, Maarten Martens’ young side, who are on a seven-game winless run across all competitions (D1, L6), begin matchweek four teetering at the bottom of the league phase’s 24 qualification spots.[/p]
[p]With progression into the knockout stages of the UEL for the first time since the 2019/20 season on the line, the positive omen ahead of Thursday’s meeting with Fenerbahçe is that AZ are unbeaten in all six of their previous meetings with Turkish opponents (W3, D3). The Dutch side, who qualified for this UEL by finishing fourth in the Eredivisie last term, also scored 2+ goals in five of those six games.[/p]
[p]Now managed by José Mourinho, Fenerbahçe finished as runners-up in the Süper Lig last season, and dropped into the UEL proper following a defeat to Lille in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers. Beaten just once domestically so far this season (W7, D2), the Turkish giants’ campaign in Europe’s second-tier competition has started with five points from three games (W1, D2).[/p]
[p]Coming from behind to earn a 1-1 draw at home against boss Mourinho’s old club Manchester United last time out in Europe, Fenerbahçe are now unbeaten in their last ten UEL group/league phase matches (W5, D5). Last losing a game at this stage of the competition in November 2021, the Turkish outfit look well placed to maintain a record of having qualified from the UEL group/league phase at every attempt bar one.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Youngster Mexx Meerdink is yet to start a game for Alkmaar this season, but has averaged a goal every 42 minutes from the bench. Youssef En-Nesyri’s next goal would see him become the outright highest-scoring Moroccan in European history. He has 17 goals from 42 major European appearances to date, including the one he scored against Manchester United on matchday three.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Four red cards have been shown across the six league phase games played out by these two sides.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Ben Olawumi[/i][/p]