Separated by one point in the Europa League standings, AZ Alkmaar and Roma will meet on Thursday, both aiming to boost their hopes of a top-eight finish.
With two games to go in this season's league phase, both are occupying a playoff spot, but defeat could take them closer to the elimination places.
Match preview
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After six matches, AZ's pleasingly consistent Europa League record - which features two wins, two draws and two losses, with nine goals scored and conceded - leaves them inside the all-important top 24.
With eight points on the board after last month's 2-2 draw with Ludogorets in Bulgaria, De Kaasboeren are still in contention for a top-eight finish that would see them skip an extra playoff round.
Having led by two goals, the Dutch side were frustrated not to secure a much-needed victory, as they now have just a one-point buffer to the automatic elimination zone.
Therefore, coach Maarten Martens will require maximum points from their final home fixture - particularly considering AZ's excellent record in Alkmaar. Including qualifiers, they have lost just two of their last 34 European games on home turf, winning 22.
Sitting sixth in the Eredivisie, last week's 0-0 draw with Utrecht left them just a couple of points adrift of the top four - and they are unbeaten in seven domestic matches.
Yet to lose at home to Italian sides across all UEFA competitions - including games against Inter Milan, Udinese, Napoli, and Roma's arch-rivals Lazio - AZ can also claim to have history on their side.
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However, Roma come into this clash having lost just one of their last 12 meetings with Dutch opponents - most notably beating Feyenoord in the inaugural Conference League final three years ago.
After reaching the Europa League decider in 2023 and then last season's semi-finals, the Giallorossi have been less convincing this term, with a record of two wins, three draws and one loss so far.
Amid much turmoil off the pitch, a talented squad were struggling for consistency, but a recent revival under the steady hand of veteran coach Claudio Ranieri has slightly brightened the picture.
Just before the Europa League's winter break, Roma racked up 34 shots - half of which were on target - in a comprehensive 3-0 win over Braga; only three teams have ever taken more attempts in the competition's history.
The Serie A side are now two points short of the automatic qualification berths, so beating both AZ and final-matchday visitors Eintracht Frankfurt may be required to sneak straight through to the last 16.
Last weekend, the capital club extended their unbeaten streak to six matches: having ended 2024 with two wins and a draw, they started the new year by triumphing in the Derby della Capitale against Lazio, before sharing the spoils with Bologna and then defeating Genoa 3-1.
That took them up to ninth in Serie A, and there is also an upcoming Coppa Italia quarter-final against AC Milan to look forward to; first, though, continental concerns must be dealt with.
Team News
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AZ will be without their Europa League top scorer on Thursday, as Ruben van Bommel is set to miss his third consecutive game through injury.
Fellow winger Ibrahim Sadiq also joins long-term absentee Sem Westerveld on the sidelines, but Maarten Martens should have the rest of his players available.
Sure to feature up front, Republic of Ireland striker Troy Parrott was named the Eredivisie's player of the month for December, having scored in three straight games. He has yet to score since the winter break, though.
Meanwhile, Roma's attack could be led by in-form front duo Artem Dovbyk and Paulo Dybala, though Claudio Ranieri may opt to rest one or both ahead of Sunday's Serie A clash with Udinese.
Fringe players such as Mario Hermoso, Tommaso Baldanzi and Eldor Shomurodov are all on standby for selection, should the visitors decide to field some fresh legs.
Both Bryan Cristante and captain Lorenzo Pellegrini returned to training on Tuesday - the former had been absent for several weeks, while the latter picked up a knock against Genoa - so Ranieri can choose from a full squad.
AZ Alkmaar possible starting lineup:
Owusu-Oduro; Maikuma, Goes, Penetra, Wolfe; Koopmeiners, Clasie; Poku, Mijnans, Lahdo; Parrott
Roma possible starting lineup:
Svilar; Mancini, Hermoso, Angelino; Celik, Kone, Paredes, El Shaarawy; Pisilli, Baldanzi; Dovbyk
We say: AZ Alkmaar 2-2 Roma
Given AZ's glowing home record and Roma's fragility on the road, one point would represent a good return for the Italian side.
Both teams are enjoying some fine form, so an entertaining contest could be on the cards in Alkmaar.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Jonathan O'Shea
