AZ Alkmaar Defend 13-Match European Home Streak Against Hapoel Be'er Sheva

Pundits pointing to AZ Alkmaar’s back-to-back shutout defeats against Sunderland and Feyenoord are calling the Dutch side’s early season a crisis. Yet the reality waiting for Hapoel Be'er Sheva at the AFAS Stadion contradicts that panic entirely, anchored by AZ's formidable 13-match unbeaten home streak in major European competition.[1]

This Matchday 2 clash in the UEFA Europa League league phase carries immediate weight for two clubs desperate to kickstart their campaigns. AZ Alkmaar currently sit 25th in the expanded standings with zero points after their 1-0 opening loss in England, while Hapoel Be'er Sheva hold 18th place following a scoreless draw against Dinamo Zagreb.[1][4]

The atmosphere in Alkmaar will be distinctly one-sided after local Dutch authorities banned Hapoel Be'er Sheva supporters from attending due to security concerns. The decision sparked immediate diplomatic friction, with Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar personally intervening to protest the ruling, though the municipal ban remains firmly in place.[2][6]

Despite their recent domestic blips, AZ’s broader season metrics remain lethal, averaging 3.2 goals scored and just 1.0 conceded per match across all competitions. The Dutch outfit thrives on controlling possession and will expect to dictate the tempo against an opponent stripped of their traveling vocal backing.[4]

Up front, AZ will rely heavily on the finishing instincts of striker Mexx Meerdink to break down a stubborn Israeli defensive block. The young forward has already netted four goals in ten appearances this term, putting him well on pace to shatter his tally of eight goals from last season.[2]

On the flank, 22-year-old left-back Mateo Chávez provides crucial width for AZ's attacking transitions and is expected to reclaim his starting spot. Chávez played the full 90 minutes against Sunderland and has already registered a goal and three assists in the Eredivisie, making him a vital creative outlet.[3]

Hapoel Be'er Sheva arrive with domestic momentum after a 2-0 victory over Ironi Dorot Tiberias, but their continental away record is a glaring vulnerability. The Israeli side has managed just two wins in their last 13 European fixtures played in an opposition country, a trend that heavily favors the hosts.[1][5]

To survive the AFAS Stadion, Hapoel will have to lean on a defense that has kept five clean sheets in their last eight major European matches. However, their inability to convert 15 shots into a goal against Dinamo Zagreb highlights a blunt attack that struggles to punish opponents on the counter.[1]

This fixture marks the first-ever head-to-head meeting between the two clubs. The tactical battle will pit AZ's high-possession system against Hapoel's recent tendency to grind out low-scoring affairs, as nine of the Israeli club's last 14 continental away games have produced under 2.5 goals.[1]

Prediction: AZ Alkmaar 2, Hapoel Be'er Sheva 0. The combination of an empty away end, Alkmaar's overwhelming historical dominance on home soil, and Hapoel's struggles to score on the road points to a comfortable Dutch victory. Expect Chávez and Meerdink to eventually crack the visitors' defensive shell.[3][4]