Preview: AZ Alkmaar vs Vaduz – prediction, team news, lineups KIK BALL

AZ Alkmaar will face FC Vaduz in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League third qualifying round at the AFAS Stadion on Thursday.

The Dutch side got past Ilves 8-4 on aggregate in the second qualifying round to set up a date with Vaduz, who dispatched Dungannon 3-1 across the two legs.

Match preview

AZ Alkmaar reached the round of 16 of the 2024-25 Europa League last term, but they will be playing in the less-fancied Conference League this season.

The Dutch outfit ensured their place in the third qualifying round courtesy of a comeback 8-4 aggregate victory over Ilves, after they lost the first leg 4-3.

Alkmaar reached the final four of this competition in the 2022-23 season and will be looking to replicate that performance, at the very least, or go one step further by competing in the final in the current campaign.

One quality they can bank on entering this tie is their impressive attack, which scored eight goals in their previous match and seven strikes in their last two matches in front of their fans.

Additionally, the hosts have won their last two meetings against Thursday’s opponents, which will be a source of inspiration for Maarten Martens‘s team.

What makes their position even stronger is their home form, having won three and lost one of their last four home matches in the competition.

Meanwhile, Vaduz earned their place in the 2025-26 Conference second qualifying round after they defeated Balzers on penalties to clinch the Liechtensteiner Cup last season.

However, Marc Schneider’s team got their campaign off to a bad start, losing the first leg to Dungannon 1-0, but a spirited performance in the second leg ensured they won 1-0 in regulation time, before two more goals in extra time helped them wrap up the tie 3-1 on aggregate.

Seeking their first appearance in the group stage for the first time since the 2022-23 season, the Liechtensteiner’s are underdogs coming into this tie against a more illustrious AZ Alkmaar side.

Nevertheless, the away side can take some inspiration from their start in the Swiss second division, where they defeated Yverdon 2-1 in their opening fixture and drew 1-1 against Etoile Carouge to occupy the second spot in the table.

AZ Alkmaar Conference League form:

AZ Alkmaar form (all competitions):

Vaduz Conference League form:

Vaduz form (all competitions):

Team News

Troy Parrott found the back of the net twice in their 5-0 second-leg victory over Ilves, and he is expected to feature right from the off, along with Sven Mijnans and Kees Smit behind Ro-Zangelo Daal, who is favoured to lead the line again, despite firing blanks in that game.

Jeroen Zoet kept a clean sheet in that encounter, and he should continue in goal on Thursday.

Jordy Clasie and Mees Jacobus Wilhelmus de Wit should form the central defence partnership, while Wouter Goes and Denso Kasius will complete the backline.

As for the visitors, the Swiss defender Cedric Gasser is out with an unspecified injury, and he will watch proceedings from the stands.

AZ Alkmaar possible starting lineup:

Zoet; Clasie, De Wit, Kasius, Goes; Poku, Penetra; Mijnans, Parrott, Smit; Daal

Vaduz possible starting lineup:

Schaffran; Beeli, Hoxha, Mack, Lang; Simani, Hasler, Fernandes; Campos; Navarro, Hammerich

We say: AZ Alkmaar 3-0 Vaduz

AZ are undoubtedly the favourites to carry the day and possibly go through to the next round, given the gulf in quality between both sides and competition experience.

Therefore, we can only predict a victory for the home side, and considering their recent scoring record, they are looking good for a 3-0 win.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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