On Thursday evening, LASK Linz of Austria will look to book their place in the last-16 of the Europa League when they welcome AZ Alkmaar to the Linzer Stadion in second leg of the last-32 of the competition.
The first leg in Alkmaar finished 1-1. Therefore, there is all to play for in this clash, with the home side favourites to progress to the next round of the competition.
LASK are enjoying a superb campaign at home and abroad. They are currently top of the Austrian Bundesliga, ahead of perennial champions RB Salzburg.
Valerien Ismael’s team are unbeaten in eight matches in all competitions heading into this clash. When it comes to the Europa League, LASK are unbeaten in five matches, having recorded three wins and two draws.
🏥 Symptoomgeval corona😷 AZ attendeert supporters die meereizen naar Oostenrijk erop waakzaam te zijn voor het coronavirus en goed op de hygiëne te letten.➡️ https://t.co/wqxLtDc5R3#lasaz #UEL pic.twitter.com/Hulzvmft7k— AZ (@AZAlkmaar) February 25, 2020
🏥 Symptoomgeval corona😷 AZ attendeert supporters die meereizen naar Oostenrijk erop waakzaam te zijn voor het coronavirus en goed op de hygiëne te letten.➡️ https://t.co/wqxLtDc5R3#lasaz #UEL pic.twitter.com/Hulzvmft7k
The Austrian team have a very strong record on home soil in the Europa League, as they have won all five matches in the competitions, dating back to their competition debut in 2018. They have also scored at least two goals in four of their last five home games in the Europa League.
Like LASK, AZ are involved in a domestic title with the reigning champions, in the visitor’s case Ajax. However, Arne Slot’s team has won just one of their last four matches in all competitions.
The visitors have been difficult to beat in the Europa League of late, losing just one of their last 14 matches in the competition. However, on the other side, AZ have won just twice in their last nine matches in European football’s secondary competition.
The Dutch team have also suffered just one defeat in their last five away games in the Europa League.
Forebet predicts that LASK will record a victory in a low-scoring encounter to progress to the next round.