AZ Alkmaar vs Randers FC Predictions

• AZ are unassailable in first place ahead of the final day.
• AZ play Ajax this weekend and will likely make wholesale changes.
• Randers must win to guarantee a second placed finish.

Weakened AZ to provide final test for Randers

With just three days between this game and AZ’s trip to Ajax this weekend, it is likely that we will see a weakened team fielded here given that the Alkmaarders have already secured a place in the round of 16 in first place with a game to spare.

Although the latter may be true, the Alkmaar based outfit do have a quality youth setup and will provide a stern test for the visitors. AZ lost just one of their last eight games and none of their last eight at home, so Randers will be under no illusions about the challenge presented.

Randers to keep unbeaten record intact

It is not the end of the road for Randers even if they do fail to win here, as Jablonec need to win to overtake them and the Czech outfit have won just once in this group stage. However, Randers have also won only once (D4), suggesting that this will be another hard to split game.

It is hard to see Randers winning without reply here given that they kept just one away clean sheet from 12 trips since the start of August. However, they did score 19 times during that sequence, a return which suggests action at both ends.

All in all, I predict a tough game for both sides here which is likely to end level. Even so, I am willing to take a risk on an away win on the ‘draw no bet’ market given the potential for AZ’s host of rested players and what is at stake for Randers in this clash.