AZ Alkmaar takes their perfect start to the Europa League group stage to Spain for a clash with La Liga leaders Real Sociedad. Kick-off is at 5.55pm.
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AZ have been excellent so far in the Europa League, winning 1-0 away to Napoli, and 4-1 at home against HNK Rijeka last week.
Arne Slot’s side sit top of the table but they now face a tough test in Spain against Real Sociedad, who currently have three points in the group after a slender 1-0 win at HNK Rijeka was followed up by a 1-0 loss to Napoli.
The Spanish side have had an excellent start to their league campaign and currently sit top of La Liga, with only one loss in their opening eight games.
AZ Alkmaar are still unbeaten in the Eredivisie, but they got their first win at the weekend after five straight draws. A 3-0 win over RKC Waalwijk was a big relief for the club.
Team News
AZ will be without Bruno Martins Indi who has sustained an injury in the run-up to the game.
However, Myron Boadu, Ferdy Druijf, and Timo Letschert are all back after recovering from covid. Slot may decide to stick with Albert Gudmundsson through the middle after his good recent form.
Possible AZ line-up: Bizot, Svensson, Wijndal, Hatzidiakos, Leeuwin, Koopmeiners, Midtso, De Wit, Stengs, Karlsson, Gudmundsson
Real Sociedad will be without captain Asier Illarramendi, Aritz Elustondo and Igor Zubeldia through injury.
Former Willem II striker Alexander Isak could feature, while David Silva is the danger-man in the midfield.
Possible Real Sociedad line-up: Remiro; Gorosabel, Le Normand, Sagnan, Monreal; Merino, Zubimendi, Silva; Portu, Isak, Oyarzabal
Odds
Real Sociedad 3/5 Draw 3/1 AZ 19/4
Can AZ make it three wins out of three?
The 1-0 win at Napoli means that AZ Alkmaar should fear nobody in this group, but an away trip in San Sebastian is going to be difficult for Slot’s side.
AZ are going to have to be so strong defensively throughout and take any chances they get on the counter. Real Sociedad are full of confidence at the moment, but they have struggled in both their European games so far, and with one eye on the league they could underestimate AZ.
Real Sociedad are the big favourites for this game, and anything but a loss for AZ would be a great result.
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