On Thursday night, AZ Alkmaar and Celtic clash at the AFAS Stadion, in the second leg of the play-off round of the Europa League.
The first leg in Glasgow finished in a 2-0 win for the Hoops and Ange Postecoglou’s team are favourites to book their place in the group stages of the competition.
💬 Ange Postecoglou: Our number one priority is to protect and support @Kyogo_Furuhashi.@CelticTV's exclusive interview with the Manager will be available in full to https://t.co/hiI9BAztU9 subscribers tomorrow. #OneClub 🍀 #NoToRacism— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) August 23, 2021
💬 Ange Postecoglou: Our number one priority is to protect and support @Kyogo_Furuhashi.@CelticTV's exclusive interview with the Manager will be available in full to https://t.co/hiI9BAztU9 subscribers tomorrow. #OneClub 🍀 #NoToRacism
The two teams have certainly experienced contrasting fortunes of late. The first leg loss means that AZ have suffered back-to-back competitive defeats.
Their opponents head into this clash on the back of six straight wins in all competitions.
AZ have been regulars in the Europa League in recent seasons. However, it is not a competition that has been kind to them of late. The Dutch team has won just two of their last 11 matches in the competition, having won none of their last five games.
However, traditionally AZ have been strong on home soil, which has been evident in recent seasons, as they are unbeaten in 11 home games in the Europa League.
On the flip-side, though, seven of those undefeated matches have ended in draws, which would not be enough to see Pascal Jansen’s team progress on this occasion.
After a slightly rocky beginning to the season and talk of a crisis at Celtic, the Hoops are in sparkling form under their new head coach. Not only have they claimed six straight wins, but also scored at least two goals in all six victories. The team now seem to be heading in the right direction.
The first leg victory means that the visitors have now won their last four games in the Europa League, scoring at least two goals in all four victories.
Forebet predicts that this clash will produce an entertaining draw, which would see Celtic qualify for the group stages of the Europa League.