Our prediction for this Europa Conference League match:
Zrinjski
Match Time & Date:
21/09/2023
18:45
Prediction: 0-2
AZ
The ground at Stadion pod Bijelim Brijegom will be shaking when Zrinjski and AZ Alkmaar lock horns in a highly-anticipated Conference League opener. Zrinjski were producing fine displays in the qualifiers, but they head into Thursday’s clash following back-to-back defeats to Posusje and Sarajevo in the national championship. There are no fresh injury concerns in the home team, but midfielder Ivan Jukic could sneak into the starting XI.
The Eredivisie outfit, on the other hand, made a flying start to the new domestic campaign, with the team keeping their 100% record intact thanks to a routine 2-0 win over Sparta Rotterdam. AZ are a more experienced side than Zrinjski when it comes to participation in European competitions and that is probably the main reason why away win should be considered. As for the away team, all Martins Indi, Owusu-Oduro, Schouten, Westerveld, and de Wit missed the last league game with injuries.
Highlighted Player (Riechedly Bazoer):
Despite playing for PSV during his youth career, Riechedly Bazoer made his Eredivisie debut with Ajax. The central midfielder who was born on 12 October, 1996 in Utrecht, scored his first goal for Ajax on 15 February, 2015 in a 4-2 victory over Twente.
Four days later he made his European debut with the Amsterdammers, taking part in a 1-0 win over Legia in the Europa League. Bazoer scored five goals in 29 league appearances for Ajax in the 2015/2016 season, but he failed to win the domestic trophy with Frank de Boer’s troops.
Speaking of his international career, Bazoer has two caps for Netherlands U21 team and he made his debut for the first team on 13 November, 2015 against Wales. It has to be noted that he came as a late substitute in the 3-2 victory over the Dragons. Back in 2012 the right-footed midfielder won the UEFA U17 European Championship with the Dutch national team.
Highlighted Team (AZ):
AZ Alkmaar are a professional football club that play their home matches at AFAS Stadion. The venue was opened on 4 August, 2006 and the construction of the stadium cost €38 million. AFAS Stadion is able to hold 17 023 spectators.
The Cheeseheads were founded on 10 May, 1967 and they won their first trophy in 1981, finishing the season 12 points clear of Dutch giants Ajax. 18 years later AZ clinched their second Eredivisie trophy, with the team finishing the 2008/2009 campaign with 80 points, 11 clear of second-placed Twente. In 1981 the club made it to the UEFA Cup final, but English side Ipswich Town proved to be a big catch for the Dutch team.
AZ’s home kits are red and white and they wear black shirts when playing on the road. The likes of Shota Arveladze, Jozy Altidore, Ron Vlaar, Joris Mathijsen, Graziano Pelle, Simon Poulsen, Moussa Dembele and Sergio Romero are notable footballers who played for AZ in the past.
Brighton
Southampton
Barcelona
Las Palmas 
Crystal Palace
Newcastle 
Borussia Dortmund 
Bayern Munich 
West Ham
Arsenal
Chelsea 
Aston Villa 
