AZ Alkmaar vs Sparta Praha: Europa Conference League Last 16 Preview AZ Alkmaar and Sparta Praha are set to face each other in the Last 16 of the Europa Conference League on Thursday at the AFAS Stadion. The match will be broadcast live at 17:45 on TNT Sports. AZ Alkmaar, the Dutch Eredivisie side, suffered a 2-1 defeat against PSV in their most recent league fixture, while Sparta Praha, the Czech Republic league team, lost 3-1 to Slavia Praha in their last game. Injury concerns loom for AZ Alkmaar, with Jordy Clasie sidelined due to an ankle injury. The team’s starting XI for their previous match against PSV included Rome Oduro, Elijah Dijkstra, Billy van Duijl, Wouter Goes, Mees de Wit, Alexandre Penetra, Isak Jensen, Sven Mijnans, Peer Koopmeiners, Ro-Zangelo Daal, and Troy Parrott. Sparta Praha’s lineup against Slavia Praha featured Jakub Surovcík, Patrik Vydra, Adam Sevínsky, Jaroslav Zeleny, Pavel Kaderábek, Sivert Mannsverk, Kaan Kairinen, Matej Rynes, John Mercado, Matyás Vojta, and Lukas Haraslin. Statistical insights highlight key trends. Sparta Praha has struggled in away matches, recording one loss in their last ten games and going three consecutive games without a win. The team also has one loss in their last 12 matches and has gone two games without a victory. Conversely, AZ Alkmaar has shown resilience at home, with one loss in their last 12 games, nine consecutive matches scoring goals, and five consecutive games without a loss. They have also secured three consecutive home wins. Notably, AZ Alkmaar has drawn all their last 11 matches and has conceded goals in three consecutive games. Sparta Praha and AZ Alkmaar have never met before in competitive matches, with both teams having zero wins in zero encounters.#tnt_sports #az_alkmaar #europa_conference_league #afas_stadion #sparta_praha
AZ Alkmaar vs Sparta Prague - Prediction, Team News, Lineups AZ Alkmaar and Sparta Prague will face off in the first leg of their Europa Conference League last-16 tie at the AFAS Stadion on Thursday. The Dutch side, which reached the knockout stages after overcoming Armenian side Noah in a play-off, will aim to build on their recent continental success. AZ, currently sixth in the Eredivisie with eight league matches remaining, have struggled in the league but remain competitive in domestic cups, advancing to the KNVB Beker final after defeating Telstar. However, their recent form across all competitions has been mixed, with just one win in their last three matches. AZ’s hopes of securing an early advantage in the tie are bolstered by their strong home record, having kept clean sheets in all four of their Conference League matches at the AFAS Stadion this season. Their last continental game on home soil saw them overcome Noah 4-0 after a 1-0 first-leg deficit, a result that highlights their ability to perform under pressure. However, the team faces challenges, including the absence of Jordy Clasie due to an ankle injury and Mateo Chavez, sidelined with a shoulder issue. Right-back Elijah Dijkstra will continue to fill the void, while Sven Mijnans, who scored twice against Noah, remains a key threat. Sparta Prague, meanwhile, entered the tie as one of the standout performers in the Europa Conference League group stage, finishing fourth with 13 points after a remarkable turnaround. The Czech side, managed by Brian Priske, had only four points from their opening three matches but secured maximum points in their final three fixtures. Despite this, they trail leaders Slavia Prague by 10 points in the domestic league following a 3-1 derby defeat.#az_alkmaar #sparta_prague #europa_conference_league #afas_stadion #knvb_beker
