AZ Alkmaar vs Anderlecht betting tips: Europa Conference League quarter-final second leg preview, predictions, team news and odds

By Ben Gray

Updated: July 05, 2023 at 12:59 am GMT+1

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AZ Alkmaar vs Anderlecht

AZ to win 3-0 against Anderlecht- 12/1!

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At 12/1, a £10 bet would return £130!

AZ Alkmaar vs Anderlecht

April 20, 2023

5:45 pm GMT+1

AZ Alkmaar vs Anderlecht match preview

Will Anderlecht’s healthy first leg advantage prove insurmountable, or can AZ turn this tie around?

Last Thursday night, the Belgian club ran out 2-0 winners in Brussels, courtesy of Michael Murillo’s header and then Majeed Ashimeru’s sweet second half strike.

So, can the Purple and Whites finish the job 142 miles north in Alkmaar?

In the previous round, Anderlecht knocked out one of the tournament favourites Villarreal, with Islam Slimani the only scorer in that second leg in Spain.

Now, last week’s victory leaves the five-times major European trophy winners on the very of a first semi-final appearance for 33 years.

It is all about this competition for Brian Riemer’s men, given that they are tenth in the Jupiler Pro League, on course for their lowest finish since 1937, highly unlikely to sneak into the post-season play-offs.

This tie is far from over, given that AZ boast a formidable European home record, unbeaten in 25 outings, dating back to 2017.

So far this season, the Cheeseheads have scored 23 goals in their seven Europa Conference League home games, notably taking the scalp of Lazio in the last 16.

Pascal Jansen’s side are fourth in the Eredivisie, unlikely to finish any higher or lower, so are desperate to reach a first European semi-final for 18 years.

Will a sold-out crowd at AFAS Stadion roar AZ onto a famous comeback?

AZ Alkmaar team news

If AZ are going to reach the semi-finals, Vangelis Pavlidis is likely to be at the heart of any comeback, having scored 20 goals this season, seven of which have come in this competition.

Talismanic number ten and captain Dani de Wit is a long-term absentee, so USA international Đorđe Mihailović is set to start.

Goalkeeper Mat Ryan will make his 41st appearance in UEFA club competition, these coming for six different clubs.

Anderlecht team news

First leg scorer Michael Murillo has since suffered a hamstring injury, meaning Killian Sardella will deputise at right-back.

Alongside at the back will be the experienced Jan Vertonghen, making his 131st appearance in Europe.

Similarly, after bagging the winner at Villarreal last month, striker Islam Slimani has now scored in UEFA competition for five different clubs from five different countries.