Read our prediction for LASK vs AZ Alkmaar below. This preview was written by a sport journalist who is specialised in betting tips and predictions. Use our betting tips for the match between LASK vs AZ Alkmaar and you can increase your winnings!
LASK vs AZ Alkmaar Prediction & Betting tips
11th place is Austria’s big goal in the UEFA five-year ranking. Accordingly, the two remaining Austrian representatives in the Europa League need success to intercept Turkey. However, the first leg last Thursday was a setback for these ambitions. While Red Bull Salzburg is only optimistic about progress, the LASK has a good chance of qualifying for the round of sixteen.
The return match between LASK and AZ Alkmaar will take place on Thursday at 17:55 p.m. on the Linz Gugl. In this article, we look at the appearance of the Austrian league leader, the rest of the second legs can be found in the tip category Europa League.
In international comparison, both teams do not have a big name, but the performances shown in the past weeks and months have been outstanding, both with the home side from the steel city of Linz and with the guests from Alkmaar. The bookmakers saw the direct duel accordingly openly. After the 1-1 draw in the first leg, the LASK has the advantage on its own side.
This role must be confirmed in the second leg, a goalless draw would already be enough for the LASK. But the Ismael elf will not want to deny this ride on the razor blade and will instead take the scepter in hand.
Lask:
It must feel a bit like in a fairy tale what the LASK is currently going through. “Currently” does not only mean a period of the last few weeks, not even referring to the last few months, but the soaring black and white from Linz has been going on for several years now. The traditional club emerged from the sink like a phoenix from the ashes.
In 2013/14 the LASK was still in the third division – which has no professional status in Austria – and faced major financial problems. In the meantime, the LASK has not only arrived in the Bundesliga, but the leader after 20 of 22 games in the basic round and has the best chance of being represented in the Europa League.
The Austrian media has already spoken of a “jackpot season”. Considering the 14 million budget, this is understandable, because this season alone, thanks to UEFA bonuses and redemptions, the revenues are already a proud 19 million euros. If they progressed against Alkmaar, there would be another 1.1 million euros in bonuses.
After the outstanding autumn of 2019, the bar was extremely high, but the Ismael team topped the results in the first weeks of spring 2020 and rushed from victory to victory on the national stage. The move into the cup semi-finals was also fixed, as was the jump to the top of the table thanks to a victory in the Bulls.
Between the two Alkmaar games, the LASK against Sankt Pölten was easy, led comfortably after a few minutes and was therefore able to spare important forces for the Europa League game on Thursday. Despite the successes, it can always be heard that the team remains on the ground. Marvin Potzmann stepped on the euphoria brake after the victory and sees no self-improvement on Thursday.
The Linz Gugl will be sold out for the sixth time and will create a great atmosphere. With the fans in the back and the current form, the climb is actually realistic. The best bookmakers, according to our large comparison, offer odds of around 1.40 between the Lask and Alkmaar for predicting the progress of the Austrian club.
Alkmaar:
The situation at AZ Alkmaar is somewhat comparable to that at LASK. The Dutch had not disappeared into the insignificance of national football a few years ago, but hardly any football fan thinks of AZ Alkmaar at Klubm from the Eredivisie. Ajax Amsterdam, PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord Rotterdam are significantly more prominent. However, the picture turned a little on the green lawn.
After 23 rounds, Alkmaar is currently the first chaser of Ajax Amsterdam and in view of only three points behind the dreams of the third championship title in the club’s history (most recently 2008/09) are definitely allowed.
Even if the big names are not in the squad, Alkmaar has an extremely exciting team to offer. There are only three Ü30 players in the team of the first team, the majority are extremely young, talented and keen to play. For Myron Boadu (19), Teun Koopmeiners (20), Calvin Stengs (21), Owen Wijndal (20) or Hakon Evjen (20), Alkmaar is probably just a stopover, because the big clubs are already lining up.
The situation before the second leg for head coach Arne Slot – who only started last summer – is made more difficult by the personnel situation on the defensive. Rotuinier Ron Vlaar (ex-international) is unavailable due to injury, as is Stijn Wuyten and Pantelis Chatzidiakos. As a result, top talent and captain Teun Koopmeiners have to leave the sixth position and help out in central defense.
Despite these failures, the guests are by no means without chance. The betting base expects a duel, which is certainly closer than the betting odds suggest. If we had to decide on the three-way, we see between the Lask and Alkmaar with a forecast on the guests a significantly better risk-return ratio than with the alternative options.
LASK vs AZ Alkmaar head to head matches
20.02.20 EL AZ Alkmaar LASK 1 : 1