The Matchday 7 clash in the 2024/25 Europa League between AZ Alkmaar (Netherlands) and Roma (Italy) will take place on January 23 at the AFAS Stadium. AZ Alkmaar vs. Roma: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Referee: Irfan Peljto (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Matches – 8 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 33;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.1;
Red cards shown – 3;
Average fouls per match – 21;
Penalties – 63%.
Predicted lineups for AZ Alkmaar vs. Roma
AZ Alkmaar (4-3-3): Rom-Jayden Owusu-Oduro – David Moller Wolfe, Wouter Goes, Alexandre Correia, Seiya Maikuma – Peer Koopmeiners, Sven Mijnans, Jordy Clasie – Ruben van Bommel, Troy Parrott, Ernest Poku.
Roma (4-4-2): Mile Svilar – Gianluca Mancini, Evan Ndicka, Saud Abdulhamid, Mats Hummels – Niccolò Pisilli, Manu Koné, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Nicola Zalewski – Matias Soulé, Paulo Dybala.
Each team's lineup reflects their starting XI from their last match in this tournament.
AZ Alkmaar
Maarten Martens' side could only manage a 2-2 draw away at Ludogorets in the last round. As a result, AZ Alkmaar has now failed to win in four of their last five Europa League matches (2 draws, 2 losses). Furthermore, the team has conceded goals in their last ten games in this tournament. In the standings, the club is in 19th place with eight points. Regardless of the outcome of the upcoming match, the Dutch side remains in contention for the playoffs.
Forward Ruben van Bommel will miss the game due to injury.
- The club has not won in regular time in 9 of their last 12 Europa League matches (4 draws, 5 losses).
- The team conceded exactly one goal in 90 minutes in 6 of their last 8 home games in this European competition.
- Both teams scored in regular time in 7 of the last 10 matches involving the Dutch side in the Europa League.
Roma
Claudio Ranieri's side confidently defeated Braga 3-0 at home in the last round. As a result, Roma extended their unbeaten run in the Europa League to four matches (2 wins, 2 draws). Additionally, the team secured their first emphatic victory in 11 recent matches in this European competition. With nine points, the Romans are in 14th place in the standings. Regardless of the outcome against AZ Alkmaar, the Romans remain in the race for the playoffs.
Midfielder Bryan Cristante will not play due to injury.
- The team has not lost in regular time in 6 of their last 7 Europa League matches (2 wins, 4 draws).
- No more than two goals were scored in 90 minutes in 7 of the club's last 9 away games in this European competition.
- The Romans conceded exactly one or two goals in regular time in 10 of their last 11 away matches in the Europa League.
AZ Alkmaar vs. Roma: Match Prediction
Thanks to their aggressive play near the opponent's goal, AZ Alkmaar boasts high scoring efficiency in home European matches. In their last ten home games in the Europa League, the club's players failed to score only once, and in six instances, the team scored at least twice. However, the Dutch side is not always flawless in defense, having conceded in 8 of their last 9 home matches in this European competition.
While Roma may not excel in scoring during away games, they consistently break through opposition defenses, having failed to score in only two of their last eight away Europa League matches. However, the reliability of the Roman defense is questionable, as the team has failed to keep a clean sheet in 10 of their last 11 away matches in this European competition.
I expect a high-scoring encounter, so my prediction: Both teams to score – yes
