AZ Alkmaar
Caretaker manager Lee-Roy Echteld has certainly got his players believing in the competition after they cruised past FC Noah 4-0 in the previous round, but the Alkmaar side have two wins and two defeats from their last four Eredivisie fixtures.
AC Sparta Praha
- AC Sparta Praha are flying high in the Czech First League (2nd place, W15 D6 L3 from 24) and have scored 10 goals in their last four domestic games.
- Sparta arrive in the Dutch city in great form after three wins and a draw from their last four Czech First League matches.
- Brian Priske’s side play a pragmatic, high-intensity style where the team press to win the ball back and then play direct and vertical.
Key Players
- AZ: Troy Parrott is the focal point of AZ’s attack and should be a handful for Sparta’s central defenders, while Sven Mijnans, who scored a double in the 4 - 0 win over FC Noah, is a playmaker who drives the team forward.
- AZ: Peer Koopmeiners is a veteran presence and vital ball progressor in the centre of the park, where Sparta will look to pressure AZ into mistakes.
- Sparta: Jan Kuchta is Sparta’s most advanced player and a constant threat to score as the focal point of their high-press, while Albion Rrahmani and the visitors’ wingers offer set-piece threat and pace on the break.
Betting Insights
- The Dutch hosts are slight favorites at 2.12, with Sparta at 3.3 and the draw at 3.4.
- Bookmakers expect goals: Both teams to score - Yes at 1.62 and Over 2.5 goals at 1.8.
Prediction
A 1-1 draw looks the most likely outcome for the first leg, with 2-1 to AZ also possible if they get their best players on the night.
