AZ Alkmaar – Shakhtar Donetsk: the miracle or the end of the European dream 
AFAS Stadion is gearing up for a night of total chaos. AZ Alkmaar host Shakhtar Donetsk with a mountain to climb: they’re three goals down. For AZ, it’s all or nothing in front of their own fans, while Shakhtar Donetsk will be perfectly happy to sit on their healthy lead. This clash between AZ Alkmaar and their Ukrainian visitors should be a proper firecracker.
AZ Alkmaar still believe in the upset 
Let’s be honest, AZ Alkmaar took a proper battering in the first leg. But it’s not over yet, especially not with their home form looking so sharp. Seven straight wins on their own patch means AZ know they can rattle anyone. If they don’t want to leave their supporters sick as a dog, they’ll need to come flying out of the blocks.
The plan is obvious: shove the opposition back and start banging in goals early. AZ proved last weekend they can score three without breaking sweat. That said, they’ll have to stay switched on at the back or they’ll get punished on the break. They’ve got no room for caution now. It’s go hard on Thursday or go home.
Shakhtar Donetsk in the driving seat 
Shakhtar Donetsk arrive brimming with confidence. After that thumping first-leg win, they’ve got one foot in the last four already. Arda Turan is in charge of a very solid away side, one that has stayed unbeaten on its European travels this season. For Shakhtar, the job is simple enough: keep their nerve and block out the noise.
They’ll probably spend long spells digging in under Dutch pressure. But Shakhtar have the pace to nick a clean, surgical counter and kill the tie stone dead. They can dump an opponent out of the competition if they stay focused. Qualification is there for the taking if they do the basics right.
Expected line-ups
AZ Alkmaar : Zoet ; Dijkstra, Goes, Penetra, De Wit ; Clasie, Smit ; Jensen, Mijnans, Daal ; Parrott
Shakhtar Donetsk : Riznyk ; Tobias, Bondar, Matviienko, Henrique ; Ocheretko ; Alisson, Pedrinho, Bondarenko, Newerton ; K Elias
Football Prediction AZ Alkmaar vs Shakhtar Donetsk
AZ Alkmaar to win
This second leg should be lively from the off. AZ Alkmaar will throw everything forward inside the opening minutes as they try to wipe out the deficit, driven on by a crowd that’ll be roaring them on. The Dutch side are expected to edge this return match, such is their firepower at home. Still, Shakhtar Donetsk have shown they can score away from home, which should help them protect their aggregate lead even if they lose the night itself.
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