LASK Linz vs AZ Alkmaar Prediction & Betting Tips - Europa League

Prediction published on 24/02/2020, 21:16  by Daniel Ngulu | Modified on 24/02/2020 at 21:17 in Europa League Predictions

After playing to a 1-1 draw in the first leg, LASK Linz and AZ Alkmaar will be facing off in the Europa League second round return leg in Austria this Thursday. Both sides had winning outings in their last matches in their respective leagues, LASK beating St. Polten 4-1 as AZ saw off PEC Zwolle 2-0 and will thus go to this clash on a high. For LASK, this weekend win marked their seventh straight unbeaten match and they have scored two or more goals in six of those. They are also unbeaten in the last four home matches, having scored at least thrice in three of the four. In their seven matches in the Europa League this season, they have lost just once, away to Sporting Braga and while they were a bit shaky away from home, it was completely different in Austria. They won each of their group games and are unbeaten, with straight wins in their last five Europa League games at home. In the three group games, they scored eight goals and conceded just one. With the first leg advantage, they will be looking to finish the job here.

AZ on the other hand, just managed to stop a run of four winless matches with their weekend win in the Eredivisie. They had two losses and a draw ahead of the win over PEC Zwolle and in the 1-1 draw with LASK in the first leg, they had to come from down very late on to avoid a home loss. They conceded in the 26th minute and had to wait till the 86th minute for the equalizer, from the penalty spot. While this may be an indicator of their fighting spirit, it will come as a disadvantage, looking at LASK’s form at home, especially in the Europa League. AZ have not particularly done well in the recent away matches; they have three losses in the last five. In their three losses, they have conceded two goals or more. They have no win in their last three Europa League matches and in the last away game in this competition, they lost 4-0 to Manchester United.