Bitesize Prediction: AZ Alkmaar vs Shakhtar Donetsk – 16/04/26

Competition: Europa Conference League

Market: Goal to be scored in both halves

Odds: 3/4 @ 1xBet

Sat firmly in the driving seat to punch their Europa Conference League ticket on Thursday evening, Shakhtar will travel to Holland when they meet AZ Alkmaar for their second-leg showdown.

Starting with the hosts, putting in a nightmare first-leg performance over in Poland last week, AZ Alkmaar find their Europa Conference League dreams hanging by a thread. Eventually falling to a 3-0 drumming, Lee-Roy Echteld’s side are seeking what would be a real European miracle when they return to Holland on Thursday evening. However, making an immediate return to winning ways over the weekend as they secured their own 3-0 victory at home against Heerenveen, the Cheeseheads will be dreaming of a repeat display here. Despite facing a major uphill battle in midweek, AZ will certainly be excited by their extended dominance on home soil. Including a 2-1 win when they welcomed Czech giants Sparta Prague to town for a Europa Conference League showdown last month, Thursday’s hosts have remarkably won all of their last seven consecutive showdowns in front of their own supporters – a run that stems back to a 1-1 stalemate against Ajax on February 8th.

As for the visitors, despite facing what appeared to be a stern first-leg examination when they travelled to Poland last week, Shakhtar produced an astonishing display. Breezing their way to that thumping 3-0 victory, the Ukrainian icons will be dreaming of the chance to lay down another public marker here. Sat firmly in the driving seat to officially punch their Europa Conference League semi-final spot, Arda Turan’s camp have also found a real clinical edge since returning from March’s international break. Despite being left disappointed over the weekend as they eventually had to settle for a thrilling 2-2 stalemate against bitter title rivals LNZ Cherkasy, Thursday’s guests have notched eight goals in just their previous three appearances across all competitions. Likewise, Shakhtar have also gained a reputation for their lively outcomes at both ends of the pitch. In fact, Turan’s side have seen five of their last six outings finish with over 2.5 goals.

Bet: Goal to be scored in both halves at AZ Alkmaar vs Shakhtar Donetsk 3/4 for Thursday’s Europa Conference League battle @ 1xBet