United to continue underperforming?
AZ Alkmaar welcome none other than Manchester United to Holland on Thursday in the second round of games in the Europa League. Alkmaar are yet to lose at the AFAS Stadion this season whilst United have yet to win away from home but the question is, will these trends continue?
AZ Alkmaar
The Dutch outfit impressed during the first round after grinding out a 2-2 draw away at FK Partizan after going down to 10 men within the first 30 minutes of the game.
Arne Slot's men have also impressed in league play where they have amassed 6 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat leaving them in 3rd place, 1 point behind leaders Ajax and 2nd placed PSV. They have become incredibly hard to beat both at home where they have 3 wins and a draw, and away where they have 3 wins and a defeat but the most impressive part about all of this is their goal difference of 18 scored and only 2(!) conceded.
Moroccan forward Oussama Idrissi has drawn attention from some big clubs having scored 6 goals in 8 outings and is one to watch for a leaky United defence that has not impressed so far.
Alkmaar fans have every reason to be optimistic despite their grand opposition and we can definitely expect a hungry AZ side knowing that they are fully capable of beating this United side.
Manchester United
The red devil's come into this fixture in poor form after their dismal draw against Arsenal who could very well have bagged all 3 points had they been more clinical in the final third.
Solskjaer's men have not impressed at all this season and can be found at an embarrassing 10th place after winning 2, drawing 3 and losing 2 games so far. Their goal difference adds injury to insult as they have only managed to score 9 times whilst conceding 7.
They are now, to make matters worse, going up against a very in-form, strong at home AZ Alkmaar side away from home where they are still yet to win this season.
The negativity continues considering the mini injury-crisis they currently find themselves in and it is looking increasingly likely teenager Greenwood will be deployed as the striker on Thursday seeing how Rashford has not only failed to impress as the no. 9 but will most likely be needed on a wing due to the lack of creativity found pretty much everywhere.
Other absentees include Wan-Bissaka, Martial, Phil Jones, Angel Gomes, Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw.
Betting tip
United have been beyond poor when playing away whilst Alkmaar have been superior at home but despite everything, the red devil's are to be honest the better side with more quality which is why i will be backing Both teams to score at 71/100 with Bethard.
