Az will take on the Turkish champions on Thursday night in the round of 32 of the UEFA Europa League.The Europa League playoffs are set to deliver an exciting clash as AZ Alkmaar host Galatasaray at the AFAS Stadion on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at 21:00. This encounter promises to be a closely contested affair, with both teams looking to advance in the competition. The Dutch side, currently sitting 19th in their domestic league, will face a stern test against the Turkish giants, who occupy the 14th spot in their respective league.
A place in the Europa League last 16 will be at stake when AZ Alkmaar and Galatasaray face each other in a highly-anticipated two-legged tie. The Cheese Farmers are on a three-game winning run in all competitions, but they face a tough challenge against the star-studded Turkish side. Both Jayden Addai and Denso Kasius are major doubts after the duo limped off with injuries in a 2-0 win over Zwolle, while goalkeeper Sam Westerveld remains in the recovery room.
Okan Buruk’s men, on the other hand, are on the right track to win the Turkish Super Lig trophy, but they have big ambitions for the Europa League knockout stages as well. Galatasaray look sharp up front and given AZ Alkmaar’s attacking potential at home, we believe that there is a big value in betting on both teams to score. Earlier in the process, the two sides played out a 1-1 draw at AFAS Stadion. January signing Alvaro Morata is widely expected to start, while all Yilmaz, Torreira, Muslera, and Bardakci are back from the domestic bans.
AZ Alkmaar – Home Form Under Pressure
AZ Alkmaar enter this crucial Europa League playoff match with a mixed bag of results in their domestic campaign. The Dutch side has accumulated 11 points from their 8 league matches, with 3 wins, 2 draws, and 3 defeats. Their goal difference stands at an even 13:13, indicating a team that can both score and concede with regularity.
What stands out for AZ is their impressive home record, boasting 3 wins and 1 draw without tasting defeat at the AFAS Stadion. This home advantage could prove crucial against a Galatasaray side that has struggled on the road. In their most recent outing, AZ secured a confidence-boosting 2-0 victory over PEC Zwolle, demonstrating their ability to keep a clean sheet while finding the back of the net.
Galatasaray – Turkish Giants Seeking an Away Win
Galatasaray come into this fixture with a slightly better league standing, having accumulated 13 points from their 8 matches. Their record of 3 wins, 4 draws, and just 1 defeat suggests a team that’s difficult to beat but sometimes struggles to turn draws into victories. The Istanbul-based club has been prolific in front of goal, netting 19 times, but their defense has also conceded 16, indicating potential vulnerabilities at the back.
The Turkish side’s away form has been a concern, with no wins, 3 draws, and 1 defeat on their travels. This statistic will be a focal point for coach Okan Buruk as he prepares his team for the trip to the Netherlands. However, Galatasaray will draw confidence from their recent 4-1 away victory against Boluspor, albeit in a different competition.
Last Direct Match Between the sides
The head-to-head record between these two sides is limited but intriguing. In their sole previous meeting, the match ended in a 1-1 draw, showcasing the evenly matched nature of these teams. This result adds weight to our prediction of another potential stalemate in the upcoming fixture.
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