AZ Alkmaar vs LASK Linz Predictions

• Over 2.5 goals have been scored in 4 of AZ’s last 6 matches.
• Over 2.5 goals have been scored in 4 of LASK’s last 6 matches.
• LASK only lost 1 of their 6 group games in the Europa League.
• AZ drew 50% of their group games in the Europa League.

AZ don’t lose many games at home

AZ Alkmaar finished as runners-up in Group L behind Manchester United but only managed to pick up 9pts from a possible 18pts, while LASK topped Group D with 13pts which surprised many as Sporting and PSV were the favourites to qualify for the knockout stage. These two clubs have never met before but it’s the visitors from Austria that head into the 1st leg as the form favourites with five wins from their last six matches, but only two of those games took the form of competitive matches as Austrian clubs only returned from their winter break in February.

AZ have lost their last two matches and will be keen to put an end to their ‘hit and miss’ start to the new year with a positive result in Thursday’s 1st leg. The hosts average 2.27 points per home game domestically and have only lost 18% of the matches played in their own backyard, but LASK are yet to lose on the road in their respective league.

We’re expecting goals in this game due to the fact that AZ score an average of 2.36 goals per home game and LASK score an average of 2.20 goals per away game. Over 2.5 goals have been produced in 60% of the visitors’ trips on the road as well as in 64% of AZ’s home games, adding further weight to our prediction for a 2-2 draw on Thursday.

LASK haven’t lost on the road in the league

AZ don’t usually concede many goals at home but LASK have scored more goals on the road (22) than they have in their own backyard this season (18), so we expect the visitors to get on the scoreboard in Alkmaar. AZ have netted 26-goals at home which is more than they have conceded home and away in the Eredivisie this season (17).

LASK scored 11-goals in their six group games in the Europa League this season, only failing to score in one match and over 2.5 goals were produced in four of those six outings, which is another reason we expect at least 3-goals to be scored on Thursday night. AZ scored an impressive 15-goals in Group L where they only failed to score in home and away games against Premier League side Manchester United.

We’re confident that over 2.5 goals will be scored in Thursday’s clash and we have predicted a final scoreline of 2-2 between the pair. LASK looked strong during the group stage and have made a winning start to the new year, while AZ have let in a few goals of late. However, the hosts rarely lose in their own backyard which is why we have backed a draw but even that result will be much more appealing to the visitors than their hosts.