Dundalk vs AZ Alkmaar Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

The Irish domestic season may be over, but Dundalk aren’t quite finished with football just yet. They won the Irish Premier Division at the end of October as a 4-1 thrashing of Galway United left them seven points clear at the top of the table. An FA Cup Final defeat to Cork City after extra time followed a few weeks ago, but the main prize is still ahead of them.

Dundalk made it further than they had ever managed before in the Champions League qualifiers, with a defeat to Legia Warsaw in the playoff round granting them a place in the Europa League group stages for the first time in their history. They have by no means looked out of their depth here either.

The last two Europa League matches have seen them hold their own against runaway group leaders Zenit, and despite losing both matches 2-1, they can feel pleased with their performances. A previous win over Maccabi Tel Aviv and a draw away to AZ Alkmaar puts them 2nd in the group, and a win on Thursday would put them in a fantastic position for qualification to the knockout stages against all the odds.

Dundalk’s goals in the Europa League have come from the likes of Ciaran Kilduff, Daryl Horgan, and Robbie Benson. David McMillan is their top scorer with 16 league goals this season though, so he is another player to watch on Thursday. As far as our anytime goalscorer predictions go I’m backing Ciaran Kilduff. The striker has bagged two of Dundalk’s four Europa League goals and has seven in the league as well, despite making the majority of his appearances from the bench. Odds of 5/2 for him to score anytime look good to me.

AZ Alkmaar’s unbeaten streak continued on Sunday as they drew 1-1 with Roda JC. However, they have still only won three of their last 12 matches in all competitions and have a bit of a penchant for draws at the moment.

Away from home they have only lost two of their last seven, but three draws alongside those defeats mean winning opportunities have been limited as well. Meanwhile, Dundalk have only lost three of their last 19 home games in all competitions.

The Europa League hasn’t been kind to the visitors so far. They haven’t won any of their group games and find themselves bottom of the group. They failed to beat Dundalk at home, so away from home it’s expected to be an even tougher test. The plucky hosts have defied the odds time and time again this season, so backing a Dundalk Win or Draw Double Chance at 7/10 looks an excellent choice. I’m going for a 2-1 win for Dundalk at 10/1 for my correct score prediction as well.