Athletic Bilbao vs AZ Alkmaar Prediction and Betting Tips | October 3rd 2024
Athletic Bilbao will welcome AZ Alkmaar to the San Mamés Stadium in the league phase of the UEFA Europa League on Thursday. Both teams enjoyed an unbeaten start to their campaign last week, with the hosts playing out a draw and Alkmaar recording a win.
Bilbao are unbeaten in their last five games in all competitions, with the last two ending in draws. They met Roma in their Europa League campaign opener last week and secured a 1-1 away draw, with Aitor Paredes equalizing in the 85th minute.
They played another 1-1 draw in La Liga against Sevilla at home on Sunday. Mikel Jauregizar broke the deadlock in the 36th minute but an own goal from Álex Padilla helped Sevilla take home a point from that match.
The visitors registered a 3-2 home win over Elfsborg in their campaign opener thanks to Ruben van Bommel's brace. They saw their unbeaten start to the season ended on Sunday as they suffered a 2-1 home loss to Utrecht in the Eredivisie.
Athletic Bilbao vs AZ Alkmaar Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two teams have met twice, with both meetings coming in the group stage of the 2015-16 Europe League campaign. Alkmaar went unbeaten in these meetings, recording a home win and playing a draw in the reverse fixture.
- The hosts are winless in their last four games in the Europa League, suffering three losses. They have scored one goal each in these games.
- AZ Alkmaar are also winless in their last four games in the competitions, failing to score in two.
- Athletic Bilbao have suffered just one defeat at home in competitive games since August 2023, with that loss coming against Atletico Madrid in La Liga this season.
- The visitors have won five of their last six competitive away games, keeping five clean sheets.
Athletic Bilbao vs AZ Alkmaar Prediction
Zuri-Gorriak are on a five-game unbeaten streak, though the last two have ended in draws. They'll look to return to winning ways at home. They have won six of their last nine home games in the Europa League and will look to build on that record.
They play Girona on Sunday in La Liga, so Ernesto Valverde is likely to rotate his squad. Oihan Sancet and Ander Herrera took part in training after missing out with injuries against Sevilla and will face a late fitness test. Unai Simón and Yeray Álvarez continue to be sidelined with injuries.
De Kaasboeren suffered their first loss of the season on Sunday and will look to bounce back here. They have won three of their four away games this season and will look to build on that record.
They also play in the Eredivisie on Sunday, so a few changes in the starting XI are expected here. Bruno Martins Indi was back in the lineup in their loss against Utrecht after a lengthy injury spell and should start here.
Considering the current form of the two teams and their goalscoring form, a draw will likely ensue.
Prediction: Athletic Bilbao 2-2 AZ Alkmaar
Athletic Bilbao vs AZ Alkmaar Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Draw
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Over 2.5 goals
Tip 3: At least one goal to be scored in the second half - Yes
Tip 4: Troy Parrott to score or assist any time - Yes