SK Brann vs AZ Alkmaar Prediction & Betting Tips - Conference League

Prediction published on 29/08/2023, 13:20  by Kennedy Kechula | Modified on 31/08/2023 at 05:00 in Conference League Prediction

SK Brann will host AZ Alkmaar on Thursday for the return match of their Europa Conference League playoff qualifier. The tie is level at 1-1 following the first leg hosted by AZ last week. The winner on aggregate will qualify for the group stage while the loser will be eliminated from Europe. A draw will mean extra time and eventually penalties if the tie isn't broken. The Norwegian side took the lead in the first leg and went toe to toe with their hosts. That performance, coupled with their home form, should have them confident of getting the job done. Eirik Horneland’s charges have lost once at home since April. They have won 25 of the 30 competitive matches they have hosted with one of them coming in this season’s Conference League. The draw away in the Netherlands extended their current unbeaten run to three matches with two being victories. Brann have not qualified for the group stage of a UEFA club competition since the 2007/08 season.

AZ Alkmaar made it to the semifinals of this very same tournament last season. It was the third time in history that the Dutch club had advanced that far in a European club competition. They will head into this match as favourites to progress. Pascal Jansen’s men arrive for this fixture with an 11-match unbeaten record. They have won eight times in this run and before the first leg De Kaasboeren were on a seven-match winning streak. AZ did not play over the weekend which means they have had time to prepare for this match. It is an advantage but it is not unique to them as Brann also haven’t played since the first leg. AZ have won their last three away fixtures. In the Conference League, however, they have been inconsistent, and lost in their last three away outings.