The first leg of the 2024/25 Europa League playoff between AZ Alkmaar (Netherlands) and Galatasaray (Turkey) will take place on February 13 at the AFAS Stadium. AZ Alkmaar vs. Galatasaray: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
AZ Alkmaar
Maarten Martens' side finished 19th in the overall standings of the Europa League group stage. In the final round, the Dutch team suffered a 3-4 away defeat to Ferencvaros, but their 11 points were enough to progress further in the tournament. Before losing to the Hungarians, the club was on a four-match unbeaten run in this European competition (2 wins and 2 draws).
Midfielder Kristian Belic will miss the match due to suspension.
- No more than three goals have been scored in 10 of AZ Alkmaar's last 14 Europa League matches.
- The club has not lost the first half in 8 of their last 9 matches in this European competition (2 wins and 6 draws).
- The Dutch team has won the second half in 11 of their last 16 home matches in this tournament (with 5 draws).
Predicted lineup for AZ Alkmaar (4-3-3)
Rom-Jayden Owusu-Oduro – Denso Kasius, Wouter Goes, Maxim Dekker, Mis de Wit – Peer Koopmeiners, Kees Smit, Kristian Belic – Jayden Addai, Mychel Lahdo, Ernest Poku.
Galatasaray
The Turkish club ended the group stage with an away defeat to Ajax (1-2). However, prior to that, Okan Buruk's side went unbeaten in seven matches in this tournament, securing three wins and four draws. Galatasaray finished 14th, just one point shy of the top 8. It's worth noting that Galatasaray's matches were the most high-scoring in the main round of the Europa League, averaging 4.4 goals per game.
Due to suspension, forward Victor Osimhen, defender Davinson Sanchez, and midfielder Lucas Torreira will miss the match.
- Both teams have scored in Galatasaray's last 11 Europa League matches.
- At least three goals have been scored in 10 of Galatasaray's last 11 games in this tournament.
Predicted lineup for Galatasaray (4-3-3)
Fernando Muslera – Abdülkerim Bardakcı, Davinson Sanchez, Kaan Ayhan, Gabriel Sara – Lucas Torreira, Dries Mertens, Berkan Kutlu – Yunus Akgün, Victor Osimhen, Barış Yılmaz.
Referee
João Pinheiro (Portugal)
Matches – 7 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 27;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.9;
Red cards shown – 0;
Average fouls per match – 22;
Penalties – 14%.
AZ Alkmaar vs. Galatasaray: Match Prediction
These opponents have already faced each other in late November during the Europa League group stage. The game in the Netherlands ended 1-1. I am confident that the hosts will not lose this time either, and there will be goals from both teams. After all, Galatasaray's matches in this tournament have been notable for their high goal count.
AZ Alkmaar is very strong at home and remains unbeaten on their home turf in this tournament for 16 matches (8 wins and 8 draws). Moreover, two or more goals have been scored in 9 of AZ's last 11 home Europa League matches. Meanwhile, Galatasaray has failed to win away in the Europa League for seven consecutive matches (5 draws and 2 losses). In Galatasaray's last five away matches in this tournament, at least two goals were scored, and both teams found the net.
It's also worth noting that three key players for Galatasaray will be unavailable due to suspension, which is another factor in favor of the Dutch team. My prediction: 1X and Total Over 1.5
