AZ Alkmaar will host a second Turkish side in back-to-back Europa League matchdays when they welcome Galatasaray to AFAS Stadion on Thursday.
The Cheese Farmers picked up a 3-1 win against Fenerbahce on matchday four, maintaining their unbeaten run against Turkish teams in European competitions.
Match preview
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AZ kicked off their Europa League campaign with a 3-2 win over Elfsborg on home soil, but back-to-back 2-0 and 1-0 away defeats to Athletic Club and Tottenham, respectively, saw their fine start derailed.
However, Maarten Martens's side bounced back with their second win of the competition when they returned on home soil against Fenerbahce, climbing to 17th spot in the 36-team Europa League table, three points behind the top eight.
Since their last Europa League win, AZ have lost 2-1 to Willem II before beating Sparta Rotterdam by the same scoreline in the Eredivisie last Sunday, leaving them sixth in the league standings, already nine points behind the top three despite playing one extra game than third-placed Ajax.
AZ will take to the pitch on Thursday hoping to continue their fine home form in this competition, with an opportunity to win three Europa League home matches in a row for the first time since March 2012.
The Cheese Farmers would be counting on their fine record against Turkish sides in Europe, which has produced four wins and three draws in seven such games, and at least two goals scored in six of those matches.
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Galatasaray have collected 10 points from their opening four matches in Europe and their matches have not been short of entertainment, with at least four goals scored in all four games.
A 3-1 home win over PAOK on matchday one, was followed by a 2-2 draw with Rigas Futbola Skola on matchday two, before a 4-3 against Elfsborg on home soil, and a 3-2 victory over Tottenham last time out.
Okan Buruk's side have since extended their unbeaten run across all competitions to 14 matches (W12 D2), winning the last seven, the most recent of which was a 1-0 win over Bodrum in the Turkish Super Lig, which helped them maintain a five-point lead over second-placed Fenerbahce at the top of the table.
All eight of Galatasaray's meetings against Dutch teams have come against PSV – they have won just two and lost six, including the last four in a row – and the Lions will be hoping for a change of luck when they take on AZ for the first time ever.
However, Buruk's side have not been impressive on away ground in Europe this season, losing 3-2 against Young Boys in a Champions League qualification game, before the draw against RFS in their only away game in the Europa League so far.
Team News
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Ibrahim Sadiq is unavailable for AZ due to a muscle injury, while Sem Westerveld remains out of contention with a knee injury and is ruled out for Thursday.
Kristijan Belic also remains sidelined with an injury he picked up against Go Ahead Eagles, while goalkeeper Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro is also going to miss this clash due to an injury.
Galatasaray will remain without Mauro Icardi, who is out for a long time after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament, and Ismail Jakobs, who is also sidelined until next year with an injury to his Achilles tendon.
Victor Osimhen, who scored a brace in the win over Spurs, will be the man to watch out for, with the in-form Nigerian striker expected to spearhead the attack.
AZ Alkmaar possible starting lineup:
Zoet; Wolfe, Penetra, Goes, Kasius; Kwakman, Koopmeiners; Meerdink, Mijnans, Smit; Parrott
Galatasaray possible starting lineup:
Muslera; Yilmaz, Sanchez, Bardakci, Kutlu; Torreira, Sara; Sallai, Mertens, Akgun; Osimhen
We say: AZ Alkmaar 2-2 Galatasaray
AZ have been formidable at home in the Europa League this season, and we believe that Thursday will be no exception for the Dutch side.
However, with Galatasaray's quality and form, we expect them to leave the Netherlands with something, which is why we are predicting a stalemate.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
