Our prediction for this Europa Conference League match:
AZ Alkmaar will look to clinch first place in Group E when they take on Dnipro at their AFAS Stadion. The Cheese Farmers proved their worth in a 2-1 win over Vaduz, and they head into Thursday’s clash following a league triumph over Volendam. All Evjen, Martins Indi, and Vanheusden continue to miss out with injuries, but there are no suspended players in the home team.
The Ukrainian outfit, on the other hand, secured their spot in the Conference League last 32 thanks to a hard-fought win over Apollon, but they will have a much bigger fish to fry against AZ Alkmaar. Since AZ key attacker Vangelis Pavlidis has overcome his injury, anything but a routine home win would be a major surprise. The likes of Gromov, Blanco, Luchkevych, and Purita should miss out through injuries for the away team.
Highlighted Player (Bruno Martins Indi):
Bruno Martins Indi was born in Portugal, but his family quickly moved to Rotterdam, where he joined Feyenoord’s youth set-up in 2005. Netherlands international has made his professional debut in 2010 with Feyenoord, where he spent four years as mainstay before a move to FC Porto on the back of impressive display at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Bruno Martins Indi spent most of his career playing as centre-back, but he can equally fill in on various positions in defence. Bruno Martins Indi had been deemed a victim to the extreme recolution in Porto’s central defensive department, having fallen out of favour with Nuno Espirito Santo and even being punished with a place in Porto’s reserves.
During the summer transfer window the 24-year-old defender insisted on a move away from the club with Premier League being his preferred destination. On the final day of the transfer marked Bruno Martins Indi has been set to Stoke City on a season long loan.