On Thursday evening Hacken of Sweden and Dutch outfit AZ Alkmaar go head-to-head in the Europa League second-round qualifying second leg.
The first leg in the Netherlands finished goalless, so there is all to play for in this second leg. Despite being the visitors, AZ Alkmaar are still the favourites to head through to the play-off round.
Hacken are no novices in the Europa League, having now featured in the early stages of the competition in three of the last four seasons. However, the Swedish team have struggled for victories in the competition, winning just once in their last nine games in the Europa League.
The home side has struggled for goals in this competition, scoring just once in their last three games.
Hacken have even struggled on home soil in the Europa League, failing to win in their last four matches at home in the competition, picking up two draws and suffering two defeats.
🔴 Come on you boys in red!🔜 #bkhaz pic.twitter.com/8u66lohTX6— AZ (@AZAlkmaar) July 30, 2019
🔴 Come on you boys in red!🔜 #bkhaz pic.twitter.com/8u66lohTX6
As the hosts, AZ Alkmaar are experienced campaigners in the Europa League. However, also similar to their Swedish hosts, the Dutch side has found wins in the competition hard to come by in recent seasons. The visitors have won just once in their last five outings in the Europa League.
They have struggled to keep clean sheets of late in the competition, keeping just one clean sheet in their last six matches in the Europa League. Their poor defensive displays have hampered their chances of progressing in the competition in recent seasons.
AZ have also struggled to pick up victories on their travels of late in this competition, winning just once in their last five away games in the Europa League.
Forebet predicts that this clash will finish in another low-scoring draw, with AZ heading through to the play-off stage on away goals.