BETTING GUIDE: Crystal Palace Vs AZ Alkmaar, match preview, team news and prdiction
Reading Time: 5min | Thu. 06.11.25. | 07:35
Both sides head into this match level on three points after two games, each recording one win and one loss in the League Phase, and victory here could significantly boost their knockout qualification hopes.
Crystal Palace continue their search for a first-ever European home victory as they welcome Dutch side AZ Alkmaar to Selhurst Park for a crucial UEFA Europa Conference League encounter on Thursday night.
Both sides head into this match level on three points after two games, each recording one win and one loss in the League Phase, and victory here could significantly boost their knockout qualification hopes.
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Palace began their European campaign on a positive note with a 2-0 away win over Dynamo Kiev, but their first European home match in history ended in disappointment, as they fell 1-0 to AEK Larnaca.
Despite creating numerous chances - 13 shots but only one on target - Oliver Glasner’s men failed to find a breakthrough.
Glasner described the defeat as a timely “reality check,” emphasising that the Eagles must remain grounded in their pursuit of continental success.
Since that setback, Crystal Palace have shown renewed sharpness and defensive solidity.
A narrow 1-0 defeat to Arsenal was followed by back-to-back clean-sheet victories against Liverpool in the EFL Cup and Brentford in the Premier League, with Jean-Philippe Mateta leading the line impressively.
Notably, five of his last seven goals have come at Selhurst Park, and his ability to find space against deep-lying defenses could be decisive here.
Their 2-0 win over Brentford lifted the Eagles into the top half of the Premier League table and restored belief ahead of this European test.
At Selhurst Park, Glasner’s side have proven formidable this year, losing just once in their last 19 home matches (W10, D6, L3) in 2025.
That lone defeat, however, came in Europe - a reminder that maintaining consistency on the continental stage remains their main challenge.
A win here would not only end that unwanted streak but also place them firmly in contention for the next round.
AZ Alkmaar arrive in London in resurgent form after recovering superbly from a disastrous 4-0 loss to AEK Larnaca on matchday one.
Since then, Maarten Martens’s team have stitched together five consecutive victories in all competitions, including a 2-0 league win over Ajax and a 1-0 triumph over Slovan Bratislava on matchday two of the Conference League.
That win came despite an astonishing 29 attempts, underlining both AZ’s attacking intent and inefficiency in front of goal.
Their recent Eredivisie win against Sparta Rotterdam (1-0) kept them third in the Dutch top flight and just within touching distance of leaders Feyenoord.
However, AZ’s away record in European competition remains a concern - they have won just two of their last 14 such matches (D3, L9), with defensive lapses and inconsistency often proving costly.
This will be the first-ever meeting between Crystal Palace and AZ Alkmaar.
The Dutch club have historically struggled against English opponents, winning just three of their previous 21 encounters (D5, L13).
At home, Palace are looking to build on a strong domestic run, having lost only once in 14 home matches across all competitions since February.
However, that defeat came in this very tournament - a reminder of the unpredictable nature of European nights.
AZ, meanwhile, have scored in six of their last seven competitive games and kept three clean sheets during that run.
But defensively, they remain vulnerable: they’ve conceded three second-half goals without reply in this season’s Conference League, an area Palace will look to exploit given their strong finishes in recent home matches.
Crystal Palace remain without several key players.
Chadi Riad and Cheick Doucouré are both long-term absentees with knee injuries, while Eddie Nketiah (hamstring) and Caleb Kporha (back) are also sidelined.
Midfielder Adam Wharton missed the Brentford game through illness but could return, potentially replacing Daichi Kamada, who has been heavily involved in recent weeks.
Glasner may also rotate slightly, with Jaydee Canvot pushing Chris Richards for a start in central defence, and Borna Sosa available again after serving a one-match European suspension.
For AZ Alkmaar, Seiya Maikuma (knee), Mexx Meerdink (groin), and Jordie Clasie (muscular issue) remain unavailable, but otherwise, Martens has a strong squad at his disposal.
Former Tottenham forward Troy Parrott, who has netted 13 goals in 12 appearances this season, including seven in Conference League qualifiers, will lead the attack once again.
His pace and clinical finishing on the counter will be AZ’s biggest weapon against Palace’s defense.
Teen sensation Kees Smit, who scored the winner against Sparta, should start in midfield alongside Peer Koopmeiners and Sven Mijnans, as he continues to impress with his energy and late runs into the box. With his goal last weekend underlining his growing confidence.
Key Pointers
Crystal Palace have lost just one of their last 14 home matches in all competitions.
None of Palace’s last four games have seen both teams score.
AZ Alkmaar have won just two of their last 14 European away fixtures.
Five of AZ’s last 11 games have featured a red card.
Palace’s defensive improvements and strong home record make them slight favourites here, but AZ’s confidence and European experience cannot be discounted.
The visitors have scored in all but one of their last seven matches, while Palace have kept back-to-back clean sheets domestically.
However, neither side has been particularly prolific in Europe so far, with both averaging under two goals per match in this tournament.
Palace’s disciplined structure under Glasner - built on compact spacing and controlled transitions - should allow them to control tempo, while AZ’s pressing patterns could force errors in midfield.
Given current form and home advantage, Palace are well-placed to finally secure that elusive first European home win - though AZ’s counter-threat means it might not come easily. Expect a competitive, tactical encounter with limited goals.
Prediction; Under 2.5 goals
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