Ararat Armenia v AZ Alkmaar: Europa League Prediction

Last week, AZ Alkmaar picked up three points against the Israeli side Hapoel Be’er Sheva. A welcome three points, especially following the 0–1 defeat to Sunderland a few weeks earlier. The next hurdle in the Europa League is Armenian side Ararat. After two matches, they have zero points, having scored two goals and conceded seven. In short: there are opportunities for the North Holland side. Especially if they really want to make their mark in Europe. We’ll tell you more about this match and give you our Ararat v AZ Alkmaar prediction.

Betting at Oranje Palace

Are you new to Oranje Palace’s Sportsbook? If so, first of all, a warm welcome. We’d also like to invite you to take advantage of a fantastic welcome bonus straight away, consisting of 3 x €14 Free Bets. This includes a Pre-match, Live and Bet Builder Free Bet. You can use these on a match of your choice. Will you go for the Eredivisie? Or will you choose one of the three European competitions?

Ararat v AZ Alkmaar preview

If AZ Alkmaar are to make their mark in the Europa League, they’ll need to beat teams like Ararat. On the other hand, the Armenians are keen to shake off that nagging goalless draw. Below are the latest updates on both teams.

Current Form & Team News

Ararat

Ararat is a team we’ve occasionally come across in the past in games such as Football Manager. Apart from that, very little is known about the club. What we do know is that, like so many teams in Eastern Europe, they have a number of good Brazilian players. At Ararat, these are the strikers Carlos Franca and Sandro Lima. Both forwards have already scored five times this season. All of this means that the team from the capital, Yerevan, currently sits in second place, five points behind leaders FC Noah.

AZ Alkmaar

AZ Alkmaar got off to an excellent start to the new season. They won the Johan Cruijff Shield and were still top of the Eredivisie during the international break. Following their defeat to Feyenoord and the 2–2 draw against SC Cambuur, the Alkmaar side seem to be falling apart in their usual fashion. It is therefore vital that players such as Jordy Clasie and Calvin Stengs pull themselves together and ensure that this still-young team does not fall too far behind. To begin with, a win against Ararat is actually a must. Will Leeroy Echteld’s side pick up the three points at the Football Academy Stadium?

Head-to-Head

Ararat and AZ Alkmaar have never played each other before. That is why Thursday evening will see their first-ever meeting.

Predicted line-ups

Ararat (4-2-3-1):

Bravim, Grigoryan, Luis Felipe, Valdez, Oliveira, Carlier, Balanta, Banjaqui, Alwyn, Serobyan, Sandro Lima

AZ Alkmaar (4-3-3):

De Busser, Chavez, Schouten, Goes, Dijkstra, Clasie, Stengs, Koopmeiners, Daal, Meerdink, Oufkir

Ararat v AZ Alkmaar betting tips

Betting tip 1: Over 2.5 goals for AZ Alkmaar

We expect AZ Alkmaar to win. Firstly, because the team has more quality than their opponents, but also certainly because teams such as Sparta Prague and Jagiellonia have already managed to score at least three goals against the Armenians. We are therefore backing AZ Alkmaar to score at least three goals. This gives you odds of 2.45.

Betting tip 2: Mexx Meerdink to score a goal

Sometimes you shouldn’t overcomplicate things. Mexx Meerdink has scored in three of his last four matches for AZ Alkmaar. Against a side that AZ Alkmaar really ought to beat, we reckon the red-haired striker and brand-new Netherlands international will do it again. A goal from Mexx Meerdink against Ararat will earn you odds of 1.95.

Prediction: Ararat v AZ Alkmaar

Final score: Ararat 1–3 AZ Alkmaar
We’re predicting a 3-1 win for AZ Alkmaar. We get the impression that Ararat’s defence is as leaky as a sieve at European level, whilst AZ Alkmaar also struggle to keep a clean sheet. That’s why this seems like a likely result to us. One that we’d also be very pleased with, for the sake of Dutch football.