Our prediction for this Europa Conference League match:
AZ
Match Time & Date:
24/08/2023
20:45
Prediction: 3-1
Brann
AZ Alkmaar will be aiming to extend their winning run in all competitions to five games when they take on Brann at AFAS Stadion in the Conference League final qualifying round, first leg. The Eredivisie outfit made a promising start to the season and we are positive that they will stick to their attacking style of play against Brann. As always, a man to watch in the home team will be Greek forward Vangelis Pavlidis, who scored a brace in a 3-1 win over RKC, while all Karlsson, Martins Indi, and Westerveld remain on the sidelines with injuries.
The Norwegians, on the other hand, did well to eliminate Portuguese side Arouca in the previous qualifying round, but they will have a big fish to fry against the in-form Kaaskoppen. Both Jonas Torsvik and Ole Blomberg are out of contention through injuries, but there are no suspended players in the visiting team ahead of the trip to Netherlands.
Highlighted Player (Jordy Clasie):
Jordy Clasie is a product of the Feyenoord youth academy who plays for AZ Alkmaar as a midfielder. His main position is defensive midfield, but he is capable of producing fine displays as both central midfielder and centre-back as well.
Clasie played for the likes of Feyenoord, Excelsior (loan), Southampton, and Club Brugge (loan) before returning to Rotterdam. After ending his second spell with Feyenoord, the Dutch footballer joined AZ Alkmaar in the summer of 2019. He made his AZ debut in the Eredivisie on August 4, 2019 in a 4-0 win over Fortuna Sittard.
Jordie Clasie has 12 caps with the Netherlands U21 team, and he made his senior debut in a 1-1 draw with Italy on February 6, 2013. Thanks to his elegant style of play, Clasie has earned the nickname of “Dutch Xavi”. The AZ Alkmaar midfielder was born in Haarlem, Netherlands on June 27, 1991.
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 
