AZ Alkmaar vs Hapoel Be'er Sheva 15.10.2026: Prediction, Betting Tips and Match Preview

The opening round of the group stage left both sides goalless: AZ Alkmaar fell to a narrow 0-1 defeat at Sunderland, while Hapoel Be'er Sheva played out a scoreless draw with Dinamo Zagreb (0-0). In domestic action, however, the two teams arrive in contrasting moods—the Dutch have slipped from the top of the Eredivisie, whereas the Israelis have rattled off three straight league victories.

Tactical Analysis: AZ Alkmaar

The “Red and Whites” stumbled out of the international break with a 2-0 loss away to Feyenoord, and results under manager Lroy Echteld have taken a noticeable downturn. Across their last four matches in all competitions, Alkmaar have managed only one win, and in two of those they failed to even score. On home soil, though, they are a different proposition: in the current Eredivisie campaign they remain unbeaten at the AFAS Stadion with three wins and a draw. Returning to familiar surroundings offers the hosts a chance to redeem themselves in front of their own supporters.

AZ’s Europa League campaign also started poorly, losing 1-0 to Sunderland—a scoreline that flattered them, as the English side created chances worth an expected goals (xG) of 2.96. Preparations for the second round are complicated by personnel problems. The biggest blow is the absence of Kees Smit, the team’s primary attacking midfielder, who picked up an injury while on duty with the Netherlands U-21 side. His unavailability is especially ill-timed given the team’s recent scoring woes: in the past three matches AZ have netted just once, and now they lose one of their chief playmakers. Additionally, striker Jizz Hornkamp remains sidelined through injury. Echteld must therefore find fresh solutions in attack, a unit already struggling for form.

Tactical Analysis: Hapoel Be'er Sheva

The “Camels” travel to Alkmaar on the back of three consecutive league wins in Israel, all of which were clean sheets. After a rocky first half of September (three games, one win, six goals conceded), Ran Kozukh’s side have noticeably tightened up defensively. That said, the problems haven’t fully disappeared: even in their latest victory, 2-0 against Ironi Tiberias, the opposition created chances worth an xG of 1.77 and had several excellent opportunities to score but failed to convert.

In their Europa League opener, Hapoel drew 0-0 with Dinamo Zagreb in a match short on clear-cut chances—the two teams produced only one major opportunity, and neither side reached an xG of 1.0 (0.96 vs 0.30). For the upcoming fixture, Kozukh welcomes back Lucas Ventura, Itay Rotman, and Igor Zlatanovic from injury, while Pedro Amador remains a doubt. A significant long-term absence is Dan Bitton, who scored 15 goals in 24 league games last season but has been out with a heart condition. Additional difficulties come from a ban on visiting supporters, meaning Hapoel will lack the usual away fan backing as they face a stiff test against a solid opponent.

Predicted Lineups

AZ Alkmaar (4-2-3-1): De Busser – Dijkstra, Goes, Schouten, Chaves – Clasie, Koopmeiners – Ufkir, Stengs, Daal – Merdink Unavailable: Smit, Resink, Hornkamp (all injured), Verhulst (not registered) Head coach: Lroy Echteld

Hapoel Be'er Sheva (4-3-3): Marciano – Mizrahi, Vítor, Diop, Davidzada – Foreson, Ventura, Knaan – Ist, Zlatanović, João Victor Unavailable: Bitton (injured), Amador (doubtful), Stoyanov (not registered) Head coach: Ran Kozukh

Referee

The match official is Radoslav Gidzhenov of Bulgaria. Last season he oversaw four European ties, averaging 5.75 yellow cards and 22.5 fouls per game, while also issuing three red cards and awarding one penalty. This term he has already taken charge of two matches, showing 13 yellow cards, sending off two players, and pointing to the spot once. Gidzhenov is a relatively strict referee who does not shy away from decisive calls.

Prediction and Bet

Main selection: AZ Alkmaar to win with a -1.5 handicap at 1.84 AZ traditionally feel at home on their own turf. This season they have claimed three home victories, winning two of them by a margin of at least two goals. Hapoel arrive without fan support, and their recent clean-sheet run masks lingering defensive issues—even in the 2-0 win over Ironi Tiberias, the hosts created chances worth 1.77 xG but failed to finish. The Dutch side possess enough attacking firepower to punish such mistakes. Backing AZ -1.5 at 1.84 is the play.

Goals selection: Both teams to score – NO at 1.90 Recent results from both sides do not suggest a mutual scoring exchange. Hapoel’s last four matches in all competitions have all ended with only one team finding the net. AZ show a similar trend: in their past three games, both teams have not scored. Moreover, the hosts have managed just one goal in that span, while the visitors drew a blank against Dinamo Zagreb in the first Europa League round. It is likely this match will also see either one or neither side score. Taking “Both teams to score – No” at 1.90 looks sensible.