AZ Alkmaar vs Galatasaray Prediction, Preview, Predicted Lineups and Team News | UEFA Europa League, February 13, 2025

AZ Alkmaar vs Galatasaray Preview

• Competition: UEFA Europa League.
• Date: Thursday, February 13.
• Time: 8:00 PM GMT.
• Venue: AFAS Stadion.

AZ Alkmaar vs Galatasaray will take place at the AFAS Stadion in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League playoffs on February 13.

The hosts will enter this game on the back of a decent run of form. Having suffered two defeats on the bounce, AZ Alkmaar have now won their last three matches in a row. In this entire run, they have scored 11 goals but also conceded seven, and will need to find a balance. They have also kept two clean sheets in their last five matches. A 2-0 win against Zwolle in their last league match is bound to give them confidence they will carry forward into the next one.

Galatasaray, on the other hand, have been in pretty good form as well. They are slightly better off than their rivals in terms of form. Gala have won three of their last five matches across competitions, drawing one and losing one as well. In this run, they have scored 10 goals and also conceded six goals, keeping two clean sheets as well. They defeated Boluspor 4-1 away from home in their last match and will derive confidence from that result.

On that note, let’s take a look at the team news coming out of both camps.

AZ Alkmaar Team News

Manager Maarten Martens fielded a strong lineup in his team’s last match as they secured a 2-0 win at home. All but a few of the starters put in good performances, and the manager used four subs as well. Jayden Addai is a doubt after he picked up a knock in the last match.

Apart from that, AZ Alkmaar will be without six players. Kristijan Belic (suspension), Ibrahim Sadiq (unknown), Mexx Meerdink (unknown), Seiya Maikuma (unknown), Ruben van Bommel (leg) and Sem Westerveld (knee) will all miss out.

Galatasaray Team News

Manager Okan Buruk fielded a strong lineup in his team’s last match as most of the players performed at a high level. Buruk used all five subs as well, but there were no new injuries or suspensions to report.

They will be without three players, though, all of whom are suspended. Davinson Sanchez, Lucas Torreira and Victor Osimhen will all miss the next game.

AZ Alkmaar vs Galatasaray Predicted Lineups

AZ Alkmaar Predicted Lineup (4-3-3):

Goalkeeper: RJ Owusu-Odoro.

Defenders: Denso Kasius, Wouter Goes, Alexandere Penetra, D.M. Wolfe.

Midfielders: Peer Koopmeiners, Sven Mijnans, Jordy Clasie (C).

Forwards: Ernest Poku, Troy Parrott, Mayckel Lahdo.

Galatasaray Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):

Goalkeeper: Gunay Guvenc.

Defenders: Elias Jelert, Metehan Baltaci, Abdulkerim Bardakci, Berkan Kutlu.

Midfielders: Eyup Aydin, Muhammed Berat Lus, Efe Akman.

Forwards: Yusuf Demir, Ahmed Kutucu, Alvaro Morata.

AZ Alkmaar vs Galatasaray Head-to-Head Record

Despite being two of the leading clubs in their respective countries, these two sides have rarely faced each other. AZ Alkmaar and Galatasaray have crossed paths just once before, with the game ending in a 1-1 draw.

Key Players to Watch in AZ Alkmaar vs Galatasaray

Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar)

Parrott has been among the leading contributors to the team so far in this Europa League campaign and has produced three goals and one assist. His goals have come from 2.33 xG, meaning he has done pretty well to convert his chances. His one assist has come from 1.63 xA, and Parrott will be aware he can improve.

Dries Mertens (Galatasaray)

Mertens has been on fire in terms of setting his teammates up with lovely assists. He has bagged one goal and five assists so far in the Europa League. His five assists have come from 3.82 xA, meaning the conversion rate from his teammates has been good. His solitary goal has come from a slightly high 1.26 xG, meaning he will need to improve his conversion rate.

AZ Alkmaar vs Galatasaray Prediction

The one previous meeting is not enough to tell what could happen in the next one. However, going by recent form, Galatasaray seems to have the upper hand over AZ Alkmaar, but only slightly.

Predicted Score: AZ Alkmaar 1-2 Galatasaray

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