AZ vs Shakhtar Donetsk Preview, Predictions, Analysis & Tips

2025/2026 Europa Conference League, Europe

AFAS Stadion Today - 4:45 PM

Europa Conference League

AZ AZ

Shakhtar Donetsk SHK

KICKOFF : Today - 4:45 PM

Quarter Finals Leg 2 of 2 Aggregate : 0 - 3

CONTEXT

AZ face a daunting task as they host Shakhtar Donetsk in the second leg of their Europa Conference League quarter-final at the AFAS Stadion. Trailing 0-3 from the first leg, the home side must deliver a dominant performance to overturn the deficit and advance. Shakhtar, positioned sixth in their league, arrive with momentum after a convincing victory and strong recent form. The visitors will look to remain compact and hit on the break to secure progression to the semi-finals. For AZ, sitting 14th domestically, this represents a chance to showcase resilience in front of their supporters. The tie remains alive but heavily favours the Ukrainian outfit. Success for the Dutch team would require an early breakthrough and sustained pressure throughout the ninety minutes.

TL;DR

Structural: Quarter-final second leg with Shakhtar holding a 3-0 aggregate lead.
Form: Shakhtar stronger in form (W4 D1 L1) against AZ (W3 D1 L2).
Squad: Shakhtar possess superior squad with power score advantage of 7.9 points.
Efficiency: Efficiency statistics currently unavailable for analysis.
Transition: AZ to push transitions at home while Shakhtar counter effectively.
Set pieces: Set piece data limited with low confidence proxy applied for both.
xVariable: xG and related variables not available in current dataset.
Market: AZ 44.6% (Δ+0%) | Draw 26.8% (Δ+0%) | Shakhtar Donetsk 28.6% (Δ+0%).

No standings statistics available.

No head-to-head records found.

0.5+ goals: 85%

1.5+ goals: 70%

2.5+ goals: 50%

3.5+ goals: 25%

Confidence: High (≥8 matches)

Quality vs Volume

Home: xG 1.8, Shots 12, xG/Shot 0.15

Away: xG 1.5, Shots 14, xG/Shot 0.11

Open Play vs Set Play

Open Play: 65%

Set Play: 35%

Expected Points

Team	xPts
Home	1.8
Away	1.2

Jan 25 vs Team A

Feb 1 vs Team B

Feb 8 vs Team C

L. Echteld

A. Turan

1.9

Avg Points / Game (Last 100 Matches)

Avg Points / Game (Last 6 Matches)

Head to Head (Wins - Draws - Losses)

2 - 0 - 1

No sidelined player data available.

Win Probabilities

Live Win Probability (90 Min)

44.62%

Draw

26.77%

Shakhtar Donetsk

28.61%

Team Power Ranking

30.75

38.6

0 (Weakest) 100 (Strongest)

Metric

Shakhtar Donetsk

Power Score

30.75

38.6

League Position

Global Rank

Form Analysis Opponent-Weighted

Line chart of recent results (points/trend). Friendlies excluded by default. Hover for opponent, result, xG/xGA and power ranking — based on last 6 matches.

AZ — Opponent-weighted form score

Shakhtar Donetsk — Opponent-weighted form score

Win (3 pts) Draw (1 pt) Loss (0 pts) AZ Shakhtar Donetsk

Team Head to Head Last 6 Seasons

Summary of 3 matches between these sides — filtered by competition and venue context.

AZ AZ Home

3 matches

Shakhtar Donetsk SHK Away

Match Record

Wins

Draws

Losses

Goals

Goals Scored

Goals Conceded

Goal Difference

Expected Goals

xGA

Data last updated: 2026-04-16T00:01:29+00:00

STARTING XI - EXPECTED

Match Formation 3-4-3

Match Formation 4-1-4-1

41 J. Zoet

3 W. Goes

5 A. Penetra Correia

23 B. van Duijl

2 S. Maikuma

26 K. Smit

10 S. Mijnans

34 M. De Wit

7 W. Pinto Batista

9 T. Parrott

11 I. Sadiq

31 D. Riznyk

13 P. Azevedo Pereira

22 M. Matviyenko

5 V. Bondar

17 V. Tobias da Silva

27 O. Ocheretko

11 N. Martins da Silva

21 A. Bondarenko

10 P. Delmino da Silva

30 A. Santana Lopes da Fonseca

19 K. Elias Nogueira

General Information

Date & Time

Apr 16, 2026, 04:45 PM

Competition

2025/2026 Europa Conference League, Europe · Quarter Finals · Leg 2 of 2 · Aggregate : 0 - 3

Stadium

AFAS Stadion

Capacity

19500

Pitch Surface

Grass

Weather

☀️ 12°C, Fair

Referees

Eduard Beitinger

Lasse Koslowski

Harm Osmers

Sven Jablonski

Expected Lineup

Referee : Sven Jablonski

Manager ▼

L. Echteld Coach

Starting XI ▼

Jeroen Zoet Goalkeeper

6.84

Wouter Goes Defender

6.95

Alexandre Penetra Defender

6.96

Mees de Wit Defender

7.17

Seiya Maikuma Defender

6.75

Billy van Duijl Defender

6.92

Sven Mijnans Midfielder

7.43

Kees Smit Midfielder

7.14

Weslley Patati Attacker

6.66

Troy Parrott Attacker

7.4

Ibrahim Sadiq Attacker

7.04

Referee : Sven Jablonski

Manager ▼

A. Turan Coach

Starting XI ▼

Dmytro Riznyk Goalkeeper

6.75

Valeriy Bondar Defender

7.3

Pedro Henrique Defender

7.3

Vinícius Tobias Defender

7.07

Mykola Matvienko Defender

7.03

Artem Bondarenko Midfielder

6.95

Oleg Ocheretko Midfielder

6.69

Pedrinho Attacker

7.3

Newerton Attacker

6.89

Kauã Elias Attacker

7.04

Alisson Attacker

7.08

CONCLUSION

Despite the challenging position, AZ will attack with purpose in search of a heroic comeback against Shakhtar Donetsk. The three-goal margin means the hosts need to score at least three times while keeping a clean sheet to force extra time. Shakhtar have the quality to absorb pressure and exploit any overcommitment from AZ on the counter. Their recent record suggests they can handle the away environment effectively. The match will likely see AZ dominate possession in the opening stages as they chase the game. However, the visitors' defensive organisation and threat on transitions could prove decisive. Overall, Shakhtar appear well placed to progress, but football often delivers surprises in such high stakes knockout fixtures.

STANDINGS

CONTEXT