AZ vs Astra Betting Tips

It has been a tricky start to the season for AZ Alkmaar. They have managed just two draws from their opening three Dutch Eredivisie contests, including a 3-0 defeat to Ajax. They’ve looked like a side missing composure and skill on the ball and they’ve looked very fragile defensively, especially against set pieces.

This doesn’t yet feel like an AZ side that is usually in the mix as a part of Holland’s ‘big four’ clubs. They impressed and took early control in the first leg of this tie, but looked completely inept in the second part of the game (especially before halftime) when FC Astra battled back and eventually emerged as deserved winners. Alkmaar need to correct a few things and play better football in the second leg if they want to progress, in general this is a club that needs to improve to match ambitions across all competitions.

It would be hard to say how the beginning of the 2015-16 season could have gone any better for Astra. They’re top of the Romanian league after claiming 17 points from their first eight games and they’ve won European football ties against Scotland’s Inverness CT and England’s West Ham. They travel to Holland on Thursday with a real chance of adding AZ as a scalp.

There was a moment (perhaps more than a moment) when they perhaps looked out of their depth against Alkmaar, but a storming late first half comeback quickly put that possibility to rest. Still, travelling to Holland to face a side that knows them better will be no easy task.

Three Reasons for Betting Tips

1. Don’t trust AZ

It’s difficult to fully trust AZ Alkmaar right now, which makes the markets involving their victory tough to bet on. However, it feels like AZ needs to score goals to win and Astra have the attacking quality to exploit their defence. The first game brought five goals, even a toned down contest should produce three.

2. Astra will make things happen

There’s just something about this Astra side. They make things happen. They did it against West Ham and they pulled it out of the bag against AZ as well. A lot of it runs through budding superstar Budescu, who had two assists in the first leg and has not so quietly made a name for himself during the course of this competition.

3. Game urgency

There’s nothing to be impressed about with either of these teams’ defences and they will both feel some urgency to attack, Astra because they know no other way, Alkmaar because they need at least one goal. Again, perhaps this won’t be a game where there are five goals scored before the first half whistle, but we’re expecting the back of the net to be rustled several times in on Thursday night in Holland.

AZ 2-1 Astra

AZ will find a way to play a little better in this game and we’re counting on some of the club’s experience to pay dividends in what should be an entertaining contest.