On Thursday night, AZ Alkmaar and West Ham clash at the AFAS Stadion in the Europa Conference League semi-final second leg. The visitors won the first leg 2-1, so the tie is still well-balanced.
AZ Alkmaar form guideThe Dutch team have been inconsistent lately, as AZ has won just two of their last ten games over 90 minutes. Last time out, AZ recorded a 5-1 home win over Emmen at the weekend.
AZ’s European form has been mixed, as they have won just once in their last three matches in the Europa Conference League, having suffered two defeats in the process.
Their recent matches in the Europa Conference League have been relatively high-scoring, with over 2.5 goals scored in five of their previous seven European matches. The fact that AZ have scored at least two goals in five of their last seven games has been a big factor in the high-scoring matches.
West Ham form guideThe Hammers have a mixed recent record as a 2-0 defeat at Brentford last time out ended a short two-game winning streak. David Moyes' side has offered decent entertainment of late, as there have been over 2.5 goals scored in seven of their previous nine matches.
The Europa Conference campaign has been a bright spot in the campaign, as they are 13 games unbeaten in the competition, having recorded 12 victories in the run.
The Hammers are unbeaten in six away games in the competition, having recorded five wins and one draw.
Latest team newsAZ look set to be without defender Bruno Martins Indi through injury, while Dani de Wit and Jesper Karlsson will return from injuries.
West Ham rested Declan Rice, Lucas Paqueta and Said Benrahma at the weekend but will likely return to the starting line-up. Michail Antonio and Gianluca Scamacca are likely to miss out through injuries.
What am I backing?Both teams have experienced a mixed recent record. However, one thing that has been consistent is that they tend to produce goals, so I am backing over 2.5 goals to be scored in this clash.
