The first leg of the 2025/26 UEFA Conference League round of 16 between AZ Alkmaar (Netherlands) and Sparta Prague (Czech Republic) will take place on 12 March at the AFAS Stadium. AZ Alkmaar vs Sparta Prague: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
AZ Alkmaar
The team finished only 14th in the league phase, so their road to the knockout rounds began with the play-offs against Noa. AZ Alkmaar suffered a narrow away defeat in the first leg (0:1), but then dealt with their opponents comfortably at home (4:0). Notably, in that most recent match the Dutch side scored more than they had managed in the previous three Conference League games combined (3). At the same time, the club have kept a clean sheet in four of their last five European matches. Now AZ Alkmaar will feature in the round of 16 for the third time in the last five Conference League seasons.
- At least one team failed to score in the Dutch side’s previous five Conference League matches.
- The club’s unbeaten home run in this tournament stands at eight matches (seven wins, one draw).
- AZ Alkmaar have scored in 11 of their last 12 home games in the Conference League.
Potential AZ Alkmaar Lineup (4-3-3)*
Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro – Billy van Dijl, Elijah Dijkstra, Alexandre Penetra, Mateo Chavez – Kees Smit, Peer Koopmeiners, Sven Mijnans – Ibrahim Sadiq, Ro-Zangelo Daal, Troy Parrott.
Midfielder Jordy Clasie, defenders Mateo Chavez and Seiya Maikuma are on the injury list. Defender Wouter Goes has served his suspension.
Sparta Prague
The Czech side finished in the top four of the Conference League league phase. After six rounds, Sparta collected 13 points out of a possible 18, with only Rakow (14) and Strasbourg (16) better by that measure. In three of their last four matches, the club kept a clean sheet, and overall they have conceded three goals—only three teams have allowed fewer. Their only defeat in the main phase of the Conference League came back in October, away to Rijeka (0:1). Since then, Sparta have gone four straight European matches without defeat, with the last three ending in victory.
- At least one team failed to score in six of the Czechs’ last eight Conference League matches.
- The club’s uncompromising away run in this tournament stands at eight games (three wins, five defeats).
- Sparta have conceded in seven of their last eight away matches in the Conference League.
Potential Sparta Prague Lineup (3-4-3)*
Peter Vindahl-Jensen – Adam Schewinski, Asger Sorensen, Patrik Vydra – Pavel Kaderabek, Sivert Mannsverk, Santiago Eneme, Jaroslav Zeleny – John Mercado, Albion Rrahmani, Lukas Haraslin.
Defenders Asger Sorensen and Elias Cobbaut, as well as midfielders Santiago Eneme, Patrik Vydra and Magnus Andersen, will miss out through injury.
Referee
Sebastian Gishamer (Austria)
Matches – 7 (international fixtures, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 22;
Yellow cards per match on average – 3.1;
Red cards shown – 0;
Fouls per match on average – 24;
Penalties – 29%.
AZ Alkmaar vs Sparta Prague: Match Prediction
AZ Alkmaar can be classed among the home sides that traditionally transform on their own ground. In the previous Conference League round, the Dutch side lost away, only to thrash their opponents at home 4:0. With the backing of the crowd, the club have gone eight Conference League matches without defeat, and seven of those eight games ended in wins. What is more, across those eight matches AZ Alkmaar have conceded just one goal. Their home clean-sheet run stands at four matches.
Sparta performed well in the league phase, and after six rounds the club had only one defeat to their name. However, it is worth noting that their only setback came away from home. The Czechs do not always show enough confidence on the road. If we take their last eight Conference League matches away from home, the team have managed only three wins. In the other five, Sparta could not even earn a draw.
Prediction: AZ Alkmaar Draw No Bet
* For each team, the starting XI from their previous match in this tournament is listed.