Crystal Palace have won so many admirers over the last year or so with their FA Cup win, excellent Premier League performances, and next stage development of talents such as Eberechi Eze, Jean-Phillipe Mateta, and Adam Wharton, but they have to come back from a disappointing defeat to AEK Larnaca last time out against a well respected Dutch outfit.

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📈 Crystal Palace v AZ Alkmaar Form & Tactics

Crystal Palace had an excellent week domestically as they dumped Liverpool out of the EFL Cup, and then took three Premier League points at home to Brentford, scoring five goals to none in reply. That stopped a run of four games without a win, which itself ended an unbeaten start to the season in all competitions.

Palace have a little bit of work to do in the Europa League though. The surprise defeat at home to AEK Larnaca as made it a little tricky to qualify in the top eight as I’m sure that Glasner and the club would have been aiming for prior to the competition beginning.

They have some of the best metrics in the Premier League, especially going forwards. They are in the top three for xG created, shots on target, big chances created, and touches in opponents’ box.

AZ come into this match in great form. They have won five in a row, one of which was a 2-0 win at Ajax, and another was a win over Slovan Bratislava in this competition. That win meant that they got off the mark in the league phase of the Conference League, meaning that Palace and AZ go into this match level on points.

They are currently third in the Eredivisie having lost only once in the league this season. They sit second for xG creation in the league, and back that up by being third for shots on target, fifth for big chances created, and second for touches in the opposition box. Impressively, they pair this with being second in the league for xG conceded as well, so they are an all-round package.

📔 Crystal Palace v AZ Alkmaar Formation & Team News

We can be very confident that Palace will lineup in their 3-4-2-1 formation that has been so successful for Oliver Glasner with this group of players. With the defeat to Larnaca and the respect that they will undoubtedly give to AZ, I would expect to see a strong selection as well. This will mean Daniel Munoz probably starting at right wing-back, and he gives real drive and speed in that position, which makes the formation work.

Jefferson Lerma could be preferred in central midfield, and Borna Sosa might be given a chance over Tyrick Mitchell at left wing-back. Jean-Phillipe Mateta is likely to continue starting here, but Eddie Nketiah is a great option to have, though it would necessitate a slight change in style.

We are expecting AZ to go with quite a traditionally Dutch 4-3-3 with wide forwards, a central forward in former Tottenham youth prospect Troy Parrott, and a flexible midfield three. They tend to play with the ball where possible, they average 52% possession over their last 30 matches, but are also happy to cede possession where necessary and spring on the break with their quick wide men.

AZ continue to have a couple of long term absentees who won’t be available for this match, including Maxx Meerdink and former Southampton midfielder Jordy Clasie, who both would’ve impacted the first team, but they have no new injury concerns from their recent squad.

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* I recommend waiting for confirmed team line-ups before placing any bets.

* All odds displayed correct at the time of publishing.