Zrinjski vs AZ Alkmaar prediction: EUROPE: Europa Conference League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2023-09-20 16:45.
Bosnia and Herzegovina will have a representative in the UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) for the very first time, as plucky underdogs Zrinjski will fly the flag proudly for their nation. Zrinjski won the Bosnian Premier League at a canter last season, romping to an eighth top-flight title with their nearest rivals 20 points behind. They’ve found the going a lot tougher this season though, with a 1-0 defeat to Sarajevo at the weekend already leaving them playing catch-up.
A first-ever appearance in a major European group stage should help offset that disappointment, but just one home win over 90 minutes from their four European qualifiers this term (D1, L2), you can’t rule out their misery extending here. The visit of last season’s beaten UECL semi-finalists AZ Alkmaar probably isn’t ideal in that case, as Zrinjski bid to become the first-ever Bosnian side to beat AZ.
AZ warmed up for their group opener with a convincing 2-0 victory against Sparta Rotterdam in the Eredivisie, extending their winning league start to four matches and handing them a share of a three-way lead atop the table. They weren’t quite as convincing on the European stage to get this far, as they needed penalties to overcome Norwegian side SK Brann in their play-off tie.
That will almost certainly be a distant memory now, as AZ look to go at least one step further than their UECL semi-final exit against eventual winners West Ham last term. A repeat of last season’s five wins from six on their way to winning their group will be the first step on the road to redemption, while they’ll also be keen for a repeat of the 4-0 away win they attained against Bosnia’s FK Tuzla City in UECL qualifying last term – a side who are locked on six points with Zrinjski in the Bosnian top-flight.
Players to watch: Zrinjski’s Nemanja Bilbija has made a name for himself domestically, netting five goals from just four league games this term, while he’s seen three of his four strikes in European qualification this campaign arrive in the first half. Son of Champions League winner Mark van Bommel, AZ’s Ruben van Bommel scored and assisted in their decisive play-off away leg against SK Brann.
Hot stat: AZ conceded exactly once in four of their six UECL group games last term.