Shakhtar secured a 3-0 win over AZ Alkmaar in the first leg, with all three goals coming in the second half after a clinical display from Pedrinho and Alisson Santana. Despite the scoreline suggesting otherwise, it was quite a cagey and even affair - Shakhtar were fortunate to score three times from just 0.71 xG.
However, the second leg looks set to open up a bit more, as AZ will need to be front-footed in their approach to cut the deficit. The Dutch side have generally performed better on home turf this campaign, and their games have been quite entertaining.
AZ have scored 34 goals in 15 Eredivisie matches at the AFAS Stadium this season, but they have also conceded 21 goals in that period. Shakhtar have shown how devastatingly efficient they can be in the final third, and they are unlikely to sit in a low block here, so BTTS becomes a target.
