On Thursday, Drita is set to host AZ Alkmaar at Stadium Fadil Vokrri in a crucial Conference League clash. Both teams are vying for a place in the knockout stages and will be eager to secure a win after recent draws in their league matches.
Match Preview: Drita vs AZ Alkmaar
AZ Alkmaar, considered one of the favorites to advance in the Conference League, faced a rocky start. The team suffered a heavy 4-0 loss to AEK Larnaca, but managed to bounce back with a narrow 1-0 win against Slovan Bratislava. However, their progress derailed with a 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace and three consecutive losses in November. They ended the month on a positive note, defeating Shelbourne 2-0, but their challenge now is to overcome Drita.
Current Standings
AZ currently sits at the bottom of their group in the Conference League, making a victory imperative to improve their standings. In their latest league match, they drew 2-2 against Go Ahead Eagles, placing them 15 points behind Eredivisie leaders PSV Eindhoven. Their hopes for a trophy now rest heavily on both the KNVB Beker and the Conference League.
Drita, on the other hand, has performed admirably in their first UEFA group-stage appearance. The Albanian champions have secured two victories and two draws, earning eight points from a possible twelve. However, their European success has impacted their domestic league performance, where they currently rank fifth in the AlbiMall Superliga, just two points behind leaders Samsunspor.
Team News
- Drita: Defender Juan Camilo Mesa Antunez is sidelined with an injury. Arb Manaj and Mamadou Soumahoro are doubtful, with Manaj being a significant loss if unavailable.
- AZ Alkmaar: Jordy Clasie, Denso Kasius, and Lequincio Zeefuik are nursing ankle injuries. Seiya Maikuma has a knee issue, and Mexx Meerdink will miss out due to a groin injury. Troy Parrott is expected to lead the attack in Meerdink’s absence, having scored five goals this season.
Potential Lineups
| Drita Possible Starting XI | AZ Alkmaar Possible Starting XI |
|---|---|
| Maloku; Ovouka, Pellumbi, Bejtulai, Krasniqi; Limaj, Dabiqaj; Abazaj, Ajzeraj, Balaj; Krasniqi | Owusu-Oduro; Garcia, Penetra, Goes, De Wit; Smit, Mijnans, Koopmeiners; Jensen, Parrott, Weslley |
Prediction
While Drita has shown competitive spirit in their European fixtures, they face a challenging opponent in AZ Alkmaar. Both teams are familiar with the pressure of knockout stages, but experts predict a 3-1 victory for the visitors. Drita aims to make a statement on home turf, but AZ’s experience may tip the balance in their favor.
