Bitesize Prediction: AZ Alkmaar vs Fenerbahce – 07/11/24

Competition: Europa League

Market: Goal to be scored in both halves

Odds: 7/10 @ Pribet

In what could prove to be another exciting Europa League showdown on Thursday night, Fenerbahce will travel to the AFAS Stadion when they meet AZ Alkmaar.

Starting with the hosts, while AZ Alkmaar might have come flying out of the traps when opening up the new campaign, the Cheese Farmers have come crashing back down to earth in a dramatic fashion. Suffering a second-half collapse away at domestic rivals Feyenoord last weekend as they eventually fell to a 3-2 defeat, Maarten Martens’ men have the feel of a squad desperately seeking some kind of boost. Despite getting their Europa League adventure underway with an action-packed 3-2 win against Elfsborg on September 25th, the former Club Brugge coach has seen his squad collect just a single point from any of their previous seven straight appearances across all competitions. Marking their return from October’s international break with a 2-1 loss at home against PSV, AZ Alkmaar have also continued to show some glaring defensive issues. Shipping 13 goals on their seven-match blip, it should also be noted that Martens’ downbeat squad have failed to register a single clean sheet at the AFAS Stadion so far this season.

As for the visitors, although Fenerbahce might have eventually snatched a remarkable 3-2 victory away at Trabzonspor last weekend, Jose Mourinho made his feeling abundantly clear. While the mood around Istanbul might have been at a red-hot high over the summer as the former Chelsea boss arrived at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, Thursday’s guests have struggled to find much stability under the Portuguese tactician. Last seen in Europa League action settling for a 1-1 stalemate at home against Premier League giants Manchester United, the Yellow Canaries have also shown their own respective defensive struggles. Including a dramatic 2-2 draw against Samsunspor on October 20th, Fenerbahce have put just a single clean sheet on the board from any of their previous five matchups across all competitions. Likewise, with Mourinho’s side seeing each of their last three away fixtures finish with both teams getting on the scoresheet, we are expecting a similar outcome from the AFAS Stadion on Thursday night.

Bet: Goal to be scored in both halves at AZ Alkmaar vs Fenerbahce 7/10 for Thursday’s Europa League showdown @ Pribet