AZ Alkmaar vs. Dundee United Betting Tips: Back the hosts in the Half-time/Full-time market

Dundee United travel to the Netherlands on Thursday evening in the third qualifying round of the Europa Conference League to take on AZ Alkmaar. We’ve previewed the action and have provided two tips which we like the look of. 

Dundee United secured a famous 1-0 victory over AZ Alkmaar in the first leg at Tannadice last week, with the only goal of the game being scored by Glenn Middleton in the 62nd minute. When the Tangerines were drawn against the Dutch side, it was considered they had been handed one of the toughest possible draws, however, their performance in the first leg gives them the opportunity to achieve something special on Thursday.

This is sure to be a stiff test for Jack Ross’ side, who despite their one goal advantage from the first leg, are still the 12/5 outsiders to advance to the play-off stage. After the European highs of last week, United were given a reality check on Saturday as they were beaten 1-0 on home soil by Livingston. The former Sunderland manager will recall some of his main men back to the starting XI here, after both Charlie Mulgrew and Kieran Freeman were rested at the weekend, 

AZ had played two competitive matches in the round prior before meeting Dundee United, although that extra sharpness was not on show in Scotland. Manager Pascal Jansen is expected to name an unchanged side to the first leg with his side the odds-on favourites to advance to the next round at 3/10 and 1/6 to win the game inside 90 minutes.  

The first of two selections we are highlighting for his Europa Conference League clash is for the home side to be winning at both half time and full time. This is available at a current best price of 4/5 with BoyleSports, with other firms such Unibet and Skybet taking a more conservative approach at 8/13.

Despite the scoreline in the first leg, AZ Alkmaar still saw the majority of possession and let off 14 shots on goal. I really fancy their chances of turning this one around and they got their domestic season off to a strong start at the weekend with a solid 2-0 victory over Go Ahead Eagles. Dundee United on the other hand went down 1-0 in their league fixture and with more clinical finishing against this lower-ranking opponent, AZ can get the job done and lead the game at both half time and full time. 

Player prop markets are pretty thin for this game, although we have spotted a price that looks pretty appealing. Greek forward Vangelis Pavlidis was AZ’s top scorer domestically netting 18 goals in 36 Eredivisie appearances. Further to that, the Alkmaar number nine bagged four goals in this competition last season, helping his side to reach the Round of 16 in which they were eliminated by Bodo Glimt.

Pavlidis also looked sharp when finding the net at the weekend in his side's two nil win in the league, in a match where he let off six shots in total, four of which hit the target. With the Dutch outfit needing goals on Thursday and considering his record last season, Pavlidis looks a play in the anytime scorer market, with 19/20 on show with BetVictor to bang one in against Dundee United.