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16th April, UEFA Conference League---AZ Alkmaar VS FC Shakhtar Donetsk Prediction
UEFA Conference League - AZ Alkmaar VS FC Shakhtar Donetsk
Match Time:17-04-2026 00:45 Friday (GMT+8)
Football Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips
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Team News
AZ Alkmaar are in a desperate situation after suffering a heavy 0-3 defeat in the first leg against Shakhtar Donetsk. They remain competitive in the Eredivisie (currently 6th) but face a monumental task to overturn the three-goal deficit at the AFAS Stadion. Injuries continue to bite: Peer Koopmeiners (muscle), Jizz Hornkamp (ankle) and Denso Kasius (overload) are sidelined, while Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro is also unavailable. Expect a very attacking 4-2-3-1 with Jeroen Zoet in goal, a back four featuring Elijah Dijkstra, Wouter Goes, Alexandre Penetra and Mees de Wit, midfield anchored by Jordy Clasie and Kees Smit, and attack led by Troy Parrott, supported by Isak Jensen, Sven Mijnans and Ro-Zangelo Daal. AZ will press high and chase the game from the first whistle in front of their home crowd.
Shakhtar Donetsk hold a commanding 3-0 aggregate lead and will look to manage the tie professionally. They sit top of the Ukrainian Premier League with an impressive defensive record and have been strong on the road in Europe. Key absences include Marlon Gomes and Dmytro Kryskiv (both unknown injuries, out until mid-April), while several players are carrying minor knocks. Expect Marino Pušić to set up a compact, counter-focused 4-2-3-1 with Dmytro Riznyk in goal, a back four featuring Pedrinho and others, midfield anchored by available players, and attack led by Lassina Traoré (recently in strong scoring form) and Alisson Santana. Shakhtar will sit deep, stay organised and look to exploit any spaces left by AZ’s desperate chase.
Head to Head Analysis
This is only the second competitive meeting between the clubs. The first leg in Krakow (Shakhtar’s temporary home) ended 3-0 to Shakhtar in a dominant performance – they scored three late goals and limited AZ to very few clear chances. Historically the fixture is rare, but AZ have a mixed record against Ukrainian sides. At the AFAS Stadion, AZ are usually strong in European ties (winning most recent home games against similar-level opposition), but Shakhtar’s away resilience and counter-attacking threat make them dangerous. Games involving these teams have been goal-filled when one side chases the result – expect AZ to push forward, creating spaces that Shakhtar can exploit on the break.
Prediction
The AFAS Stadion will be rocking and AZ Alkmaar’s home intensity and attacking quality give them a chance to make this a contest. They need to score early and often to overturn the three-goal deficit, and their front line (Parrott, Mijnans, Daal) has the pace and finishing to create big chances. However, Shakhtar Donetsk’s three-goal cushion, solid away record in Europe and organised defensive shape make them clear favourites to progress. AZ must chase the game aggressively, which will leave spaces for Shakhtar to punish on the counter – especially with Traoré and Alisson Santana in good form. This should be an open, high-tempo clash with goals at both ends, but Shakhtar’s lead and resilience should see them through comfortably on aggregate.
Final Prediction: AZ Alkmaar win 3-1 (Shakhtar progress 4-3 on aggregate). Home side to win on the night but fall short overall – around 55% confidence in a high-scoring game with both teams to score and over 2.5 goals very likely.
From:Preview
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