Ludogorets vs AZ Alkmaar prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-12-11 17:45.
[p]After five matchdays in the league phase of the UEFA Europa League (UEL), Ludogorets are one of five sides yet to win a game (D2, L3), having also scored the joint-fewest in the competition in that time (one). There are hopeful signs for the Eagles ahead of their latest clash however, as they secured a gutsy goalless draw at high-flying Lazio two weeks ago. [/p]
[p]Ludogorets will be further buoyed by three consecutive wins âto nilâ in Bulgarian league action since earning that potentially valuable point in Rome, but given that they currently sit three points adrift of the knockout-phase play-off places, they need victories. So much rests on this contest against AZ Alkmaar and theyâll perhaps be encouraged by the fact that theyâve won three of their four previous meetings with Dutch clubs (L1). [/p]
[p]AZ have had a mixed UEL campaign so far (W2, D1, L2), with the highlight of that sequence an excellent 3-1 win over Fenerbahçe. And after back-to-back victories in the Eredivisie to start the month – the most recent of which was against Ajax (2-1) – the Cheese Farmers should head into Thursdayâs encounter high on confidence, as they havenât lost any of their three previous meetings with Bulgarian sides (W2, D1). [/p]
[p]Even when losing, Maarten Martensâ men are a tough proposition on the road, as illustrated by the fact that five of their last six such matches have been decided by just a single goal (W2, L4). After falling on the wrong side of tight margins so often, the AZ faithful will want to see an improvement in their teamâs travelling form in the UEL, as they have only emerged victorious in one of their last eight away games in the competition (L7). [/p]
[p]Players to watch: After two successive substitute goalscoring appearances for Ludogorets in December, Kwadwo Duah is surely close to being handed a start, having netted three times in European qualifying this season. Similarly effective off the bench has been Mayckel Lahdo, who has come up with the decisive goal in AZâs last two games, having last scored all the way back in November 2023 before then.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: AZ have been level at HT in each of their last five wins. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Alex Bowmer[/i][/p]