Celtic to get the job done in Alkmaar
Advantage Celtic
Celtic carry with them a two-goal cushion into the second leg of this Europa League playoff match against Dutch side AZ Alkmaar. Thursday evening sees the Eredivisie side try and overturn this cushion at the AFAS Stadion. It should be a less intimidating affair for AZ than the return fixture at Celtic Park, but it feels like the damage has been done in the first leg. Ange Postecoglou’s side saw out a professional 2-0 win who controlled the game from start to finish, and it seems as if Postecoglou is finding his rhythm in the Celtic hot seat. If this form continues and they can beat AZ in Holland, they’ll secure themselves a spot in the Europa League group stages.
Pavlidis in for Boadu
AZ had their chances to grab a goal at Celtic Park, but simply couldn’t convert against this organised Celtic side. Star man Kyogo Furuhashi has been on fire for the visitors, scoring six goals in his last six games, including one in the reverse fixture of this tie. AZ on the other hand, got their Eredivisie campaign off to a far from ideal start, losing to lasts season’s relegation candidates RKC Waalwijk 1-0. Yet to score this season, largely due to the departure of star striker Myron Boadu who left for Monaco in the summer, has left them without much attacking impetus. Vangelis Pavlidis has been brought in from Willem II after leading the Eredivisie scoring charts last season, but he’s yet to find the back of the net after starting for AZ in the first leg. They also welcomed back captain Teun Koopmeiners for his first start of the season at Celtic Park. Young star Dani De Wit is in charge of creative duties in that number 10 role and will be looking to support Pavlidis on Thursday night. While this AZ side has a decent amount of potential going into this Eredivisie season, I don’t see them gelling in time for Thursday night and Postecoglou’s men, with much more recent game time under their belt, should see themselves through to the next round with another European victory.
Celtic form to see them through
While this AZ side clearly has some talent, they’ve lost a lot of key players from their successful Eredivisie campaign last time out. Celtic should have enough European experience under their belt as well as being the in-form team to come out on top in the second leg and not sit on their laurels and play for a draw. Advancing to the Europa League group stages is a must of Postecoglou and his side, and they certainly have the quality to do just that.
Celtic have been good value so far and I’m sticking with The Bhoys to get the job done in Alkmaar and advance to the group stages. That’s why I’m going with Celtic to win with bet365.
Post bet chat Archie's Tips:
It's a loss here, Alkmaar came back from 0-1 down to win 2-1 on the night but it wasn't enough for the Dutch side as Celtic progress to the group stages.