AZ Alkmaar vs Galatasaray - Europa League Preview and Prediction

Match Overview

AZ Alkmaar and Galatasaray face off in a crucial Europa League fixture on 28 November 2024 at 17:45. Both teams are aiming to secure their place in the knockout stages, making this clash vital for their campaigns.

Form Guide

• AZ Alkmaar: AZ's recent form has been inconsistent, with only 2 wins in their last 10 matches. Despite a strong 3-1 victory over Fenerbahce in the Europa League earlier this month, they've struggled domestically, suffering losses to teams like Feyenoord and PSV Eindhoven​ (Nostrabet.com , Ratingbet).
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• Galatasaray: In contrast, Galatasaray has been dominant, winning 8 of their last 10 games. Their Europa League campaign has been flawless, with three wins out of three. They recently secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Bodrumspor in the Turkish Super Lig, showcasing their defensive solidity​ (Ratingbet).

Key Players to Watch

• AZ Alkmaar: Jesper Karlsson, AZ’s leading attacker, is pivotal in creating chances, while goalkeeper Mathew Ryan will be crucial in keeping Galatasaray’s potent attack at bay.
• Galatasaray: Mauro Icardi continues to shine as their main goal threat, supported by Kerem Aktürkoğlu's creative prowess in midfield.

Tactical Analysis

• AZ Alkmaar will likely focus on a high-pressing game to disrupt Galatasaray’s build-up play. They’ll need to capitalize on set pieces and counterattacks to find openings against a solid Turkish defense.
• Galatasaray, boasting superior form and squad depth, may adopt a balanced approach, controlling the midfield while exploiting AZ's defensive vulnerabilities with quick transitions.

Prediction

Given Galatasaray's form and AZ’s defensive lapses, Sky247 Nigeria predicts a 2-1 victory for Galatasaray, extending their perfect run in the group stages.

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