UEFA Europa League 26/27 · Round 2 ·
AZ Alkmaar vs Hapoel Be`er Sheva FC preview: Alkmaar host Be`er Sheva with both sides still seeking a first win
Alkmaar welcome Be`er Sheva to the AFAS Stadion with both clubs still looking for their first victory of the season after one match each. The market prices the home side as a clear favourite, but the early-season sample is tiny and the underlying numbers point to a low-scoring contest.
By 10xSharp · Published
This preview was published before kickoff. The match has finished: see the result and full stats. Read the match report.
Form and recent results
Neither side has found a win yet in this competition, with Alkmaar losing their only league match and Be`er Sheva drawing theirs. Across their last six matches in all competitions, Alkmaar have won three, drawn one and lost two, while Be`er Sheva have won three, drawn two and lost one. Be`er Sheva arrive on a four-match unbeaten run, and Alkmaar are unbeaten in their last four home matches. Both teams last played five days ago, so there is no rest edge for either side.
Standings and venue records
Alkmaar sit 25th with no points from one match, while Be`er Sheva are 17th with one point from their single fixture. Alkmaar have yet to play at home this season, so their home record is blank. Be`er Sheva have played once at home, drawing that match. With only one round played, the table is still taking shape and these positions carry little weight.
Head to head
There is no head-to-head history between these two clubs in the data available, so no pattern from past meetings can inform this preview. This is a first competitive meeting between Alkmaar and Be`er Sheva.
Attacking threat
Both teams have failed to score in their single league match this season, so neither attack has produced a goal yet. Alkmaar have averaged 1.0 goals scored across their last five matches in all competitions, while Be`er Sheva have averaged 1.2. At their own venues, Alkmaar have scored 2.4 goals per match across their last five home games, and Be`er Sheva have scored 1.6 per away match. The market prices Alkmaar as the clear favourite to score first, but the season sample is far too small to read much into it.
Defensive solidity
Be`er Sheva have yet to concede a goal this season, keeping a clean sheet in their only match. Alkmaar have conceded once in their single fixture. Across their last five matches in all competitions, Be`er Sheva have conceded 0.8 goals per match while Alkmaar have conceded 1.2. At their own venues, Alkmaar have conceded 1.0 per home match and Be`er Sheva 1.6 per away match. The early-season numbers are thin, but Be`er Sheva's defensive record is the cleaner of the two so far.
Shots on target and blocked shots
Be`er Sheva have averaged 4.0 shots on target per match this season, four times Alkmaar's 1.0. Be`er Sheva also see far more of their shots blocked, at 7.0 per match against Alkmaar's 1.0. These figures come from just one match each, so they are no more than a first impression. Still, Be`er Sheva have worked the opposing goalkeeper harder in the early going.
When goals arrive
Alkmaar have conceded their only goal of the season in the 61-75 minute window, while Be`er Sheva have yet to concede. Neither side has scored a goal yet, so there is no scoring pattern to read. These timing figures rest on a single match and are best treated as a placeholder until more games are played.
Season goal environment
Both teams have played just one match this season, and neither has produced a goal. Alkmaar's only match finished with a single goal, while Be`er Sheva's ended goalless. Across their last five matches in all competitions, Alkmaar's games have averaged 2.2 total goals and Be`er Sheva's 2.0. The season sample is far too small to draw any firm conclusion about goal totals.
What to expect
The market prices Alkmaar as a strong favourite, but the underlying numbers are thin and both attacks have yet to score this season. Be`er Sheva's defensive record is the more solid of the two, and their recent away form has been strong. Expect a low-scoring match, with Alkmaar likely to control possession but Be`er Sheva capable of keeping it tight. The most probable outcome is a narrow Alkmaar win, but the uncertainty is high this early in the season.