Preview: AZ Alkmaar vs. Roma – prediction, team news, lineups

Separated by a dot i Europa League position, AZ Alkmaar and Rome meet on Thursday, both aiming to boost their hopes of a top-eight finish.

With two games remaining in this season’s league stage, both are takes a playoff spotbut defeat could bring them closer to the elimination places.

Match preview

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After six matches, AZ’s pleasingly consistent Europa League record – which features two wins, two draws and two defeats, with nine goals scored and conceded – leaves them in the all-important top 24.

With eight points on the board after last month’s 2-2 draw with Ludogorets in Bulgaria, De Kaasboeren are still in contention for a top-eight finish that would see them skip an extra playoff round.

After leading by two goals, the Dutch side were frustrated not to secure a much-needed win as they now only have a one-point buffer to the automatic elimination zone.

Therefore exercise Maarten Martens will demand maximum points from their last home game – especially given AZ’s excellent record in Alkmaar. Including qualifiers, they have lost just two of their last 34 European matches at home, winning 22.

Sitting in sixth place The Eredivisielast week’s 0-0 draw with Utrecht left them just a couple of points behind the top four – and they are unbeaten in seven domestic games.

But for losing at home to Italian sides in every UEFA competition – including games against Inter Milan, Udinese, Napoli and Roma’s arch-rivals Lazio – AZ can also claim to have history on their side.

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However, Roma come into this clash having lost just one of their last 12 meetings with Dutch opposition – most notably beating Feyenoord in the inaugural Conference League final three years ago.

After reaching the 2023 Europa League decider and then last season’s semi-finals, the Giallorossi have been less convincing this term with a record of two wins, three draws and one loss so far.

Amid much off-field turmoil, a talented squad struggled for consistency but a recent revival under the steady hand of veteran coach Claudio Ranieri has made the picture a little brighter.

Just before the Europa League winter break, Roma fired 34 shots – half of which were on target – in a comprehensive 3-0 win over Braga; only three teams have ever taken more tries in the competition’s history.

The Serie A side are now two points off the automatic qualification places, so may need to beat both AZ and last matchday visitors Eintracht Frankfurt to sneak straight through to the round of 16.

Last weekend, the capital club extended their unbeaten streak to six games: after ending 2024 with two wins and a draw, they started the new year by triumphing in the Derby della Capitale against Lazio before sharing the spoils with Bologna and then defeating Genoa 3-1.

It took them up to ninth in Serie Aand there is also an upcoming Coppa Italia quarter-final against AC Milan to look forward to; first, however, continental concerns must be addressed.

AZ Alkmaar Europa League form:

AZ Alkmaar form (all competitions):

Roma Europa League form:

Roma form (all competitions):

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AZ will be without their Europa League top scorer on Thursday, who Ruben van Bommel misses his third straight game due to injury.

Fellow wing player Ibrahim Sadiq also joins long-term absences Sem Westerveld on the sidelines, but Maarten Martens should have the rest of his players available.

Certainly to feature up front, the Republic of Ireland striker Troy Parrott was named Eredivisie player of the month for December after scoring in three consecutive games. However, he has yet to score since the winter break.

Meanwhile, Roma’s attack could be led by an in-form front duo Artem Dovbyk and Paulo Dybalaalthough Claudio Ranieri may opt to rest one or both ahead of Sunday’s Serie A clash with Udinese.

Peripheral players such as Mario Hermoso, Tommaso Baldanzi and Eldor Shomurodov are all on standby for selection should the visitors decide to put in some fresh legs.

Both Bryan Cristante and captain Lorenzo Pellegrini returned to training on Tuesday – the former had been absent for several weeks, while the latter picked up a knock against Genoa – so Ranieri can choose from a full squad.

AZ Alkmaar possible starting lineup:
Owusu-Oduro; Maikuma, Goes, Penetra, Wolfe; Koopmeiners, Clasie; Poku, Mijnans, Lahdo; Parrott

Roma’s possible starting line-up:
Svilar; Mancini, Hummels, Angelino; Saelemaekers, Kone, Paredes, El Shaarawy; Pisilli, Dybala; Dovbyk

We say: AZ Alkmaar 2-2 Roma

Given AZ’s brilliant home record and Roma’s fragility away from home, a point would represent a good return for the Italian side.

Both teams are enjoying fine form, so an entertaining contest could be on the cards in Alkmaar.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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