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 group stage of the Europa League. In the final round, the Dutch team lost 3-4 away to Ferencvaros, but their 11 points were enough to progress further in the tournament. Before the defeat to the Hungarians, the club had 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 were scored in 10 of AZ Alkmaar's previous 14 Europa League games.
- 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 won the second half in 11 of their last 16 home games in this tournament (with 5 draws).
Predicted lineup for AZ Alkmaar (4-3-3)
Rome-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, before that, Okan Buruk's team went unbeaten in seven matches in this tournament, securing three wins and four draws. The Istanbul side finished 14th, just one point shy of the top 8. It's worth noting that Galatasaray's matches were the most prolific in the main round of the Europa League, averaging 4.4 goals per game.
Due to suspensions, forward Victor Osimhen, defender Davinson Sánchez, and midfielder Lucas Torreira will miss the match. Forwards Mauro Icardi and Yunus Akgün are out due to injuries.
- Both teams scored in Galatasaray's last 11 matches in this European competition.
- At least three goals were scored in 10 of Galatasaray's last 11 matches in this tournament.
Predicted lineup for Galatasaray (4-3-3)
Fernando Muslera – Abdülkerim Bardakcı, Davinson Sánchez, 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%.
Match Prediction for AZ Alkmaar vs. Galatasaray
These opponents have already faced each other in late November during the group stage of the Europa League. The game in the Netherlands ended 1-1. I am confident that the hosts will not lose again, and there will be goals from both teams. After all, Galatasaray's matches in this tournament have been notably high-scoring.
AZ Alkmaar is very strong at home and has not lost in this tournament at their stadium for 16 matches (8 wins and 8 draws). Moreover, two or more goals have been scored in 9 of the last 11 home games for the Dutch team in the Europa League. Meanwhile, the Turks have been unable to win away in the Europa League for seven consecutive matches (5 draws and 2 losses). In Galatasaray's last five away games 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 are suspended, which is another factor favoring the Dutch side. My prediction: 1X and Total over 1.5 goals
