AZ Alkmaar vs Hapoel Be'er Sheva: Europa League Preview, Team News and Prediction

AZ Alkmaar welcome Hapoel Be'er Sheva to the AFAS Stadion as both sides search for their first Europa League win of the league phase. AZ are under some pressure after a poor week, while Hapoel arrive unbeaten in their last four. Follow AZ Alkmaar vs Hapoel Be'er Sheva live on Score808 for the score, lineups and stats.

AZ Alkmaar vs Hapoel Be'er Sheva: Kick-Off Time and Venue

• Competition: UEFA Europa League 2026/27, league phase, Matchday 2
• Date: Thursday, 15 October 2026
• Kick-off: 19:45 Kenya time (EAT), 18:45 CEST, 17:45 BST, 16:45 UTC
• Venue: AFAS Stadion, Alkmaar, Netherlands

Where Both Teams Stand

AZ lost 1-0 at Sunderland on Matchday 1 and sit 25th with no points. Hapoel held Dinamo Zagreb to a 0-0 draw and are 18th with one point. A loss on matchday one keeps AZ out of the knockout spots, while Hapoel's single point keeps them above their hosts. In the 36-team league phase, the top eight go straight to the round of 16 and 9th to 24th enter the knockout playoff, so both clubs need a win to stay in the race.

AZ Alkmaar: Form and Team News

AZ are a young side who have scored well in the Eredivisie but have struggled recently. Their last five finished matches:

• Feyenoord 2-0 AZ Alkmaar (10 Oct, Eredivisie)
• AZ Alkmaar 1-0 Telstar (20 Sep, Eredivisie)
• Sunderland 1-0 AZ Alkmaar (16 Sep, Europa League)
• Heerenveen 2-3 AZ Alkmaar (6 Sep, Eredivisie)
• AZ Alkmaar 5-2 Go Ahead Eagles (29 Aug, Eredivisie)

That is three wins and two defeats. AZ sit third in the Eredivisie, but the last two big matches were lost without scoring. The squad is young, with an average starting age of just over 22. At home they are tough to beat. AZ are unbeaten in their last 13 major European matches at the AFAS Stadion.

On team news, Lee-Roy Echteld is without Kees Smit, Stije Resink and Jizz Hornkamp, which limits his options in midfield and attack. Wouter Goes will look to respond after his mistake helped set up Feyenoord's opening goal at the weekend.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): De Busser; Dijkstra, Goes, Schouten, Chávez; Koopmeiners, Clasie; Oufkir, Kwakman, Daal; Meerdink.

Hapoel Be'er Sheva: Form and Team News

Hapoel are in better form on paper. Their last five results:

• Ironi Tiberias 0-2 Hapoel Be'er Sheva (10 Oct, Israeli Premier League)
• Hapoel Be'er Sheva 1-0 Kiryat Shmona (19 Sep, Israeli Premier League)
• Hapoel Be'er Sheva 0-0 Dinamo Zagreb (16 Sep, Europa League)
• Hapoel Petah Tikva 0-2 Hapoel Be'er Sheva (13 Sep, Israeli Premier League)
• Hapoel Be'er Sheva 1-4 Maccabi Tel Aviv (7 Sep, Israeli Premier League)

That is three wins, one draw and one defeat, and they are unbeaten in four. Hapoel sit fourth in the Israeli Premier League. They are much tighter at the back, though the attack lacked a cutting edge in Europe. They had 15 shots against Dinamo Zagreb, but only two were on target. One preview notes they may have benefited from playing at a neutral venue in Hungary, so the trip to Alkmaar is a different test.

Ran Kozuch has no confirmed absentees and is expected to keep the same shape. Predicted XI (4-3-3): Marciano; Mizrahi, Diop, Vítor, Amador; Kna'an, Ventura, Forson; East, Zlatanović, João Victor.

Head-to-Head Record

The clubs have no recent competitive meeting that I could find. One preview notes the wider record. AZ have won all four of their matches against Israeli clubs. AZ also reached the quarter-finals of last season's Conference League, so they have the stronger European pedigree.

Key Players to Watch

• Mexx Meerdink (AZ): the attacking focal point for a side that has scored in most of its recent games.
• Peer Koopmeiners (AZ): a creative midfielder in the engine room.
• Ro-Zangelo Daal (AZ): a wide threat against Hapoel's full-backs.
• Ofir Marciano (Hapoel): the experienced goalkeeper behind a tight defence.
• Javon East and Igor Zlatanović (Hapoel): the forwards who need to turn chances into shots on target.

AZ Alkmaar vs Hapoel Be'er Sheva Prediction

Previews favour AZ, though most expect a tight game:

• Forebet predicts AZ Alkmaar to win 1-0, giving AZ a 43% chance.
• The Stats Zone backs AZ to win or draw.
• Tips.gg expects a tighter contest than the odds imply, with AZ to win but goals at both ends, or even a draw.
• SportyTrader expects under 3.5 goals.

Our view: AZ have the better home record and more attacking depth. But they are low on confidence after two defeats and have injuries, and Hapoel are hard to break down. A narrow AZ win looks most likely, with 1-0 the leading scoreline and a draw a real possibility. This is a forecast, not a guarantee.

How to Follow AZ Alkmaar vs Hapoel Be'er Sheva Live

Open the AZ Alkmaar vs Hapoel Be'er Sheva match page on Score808 for live updates, lineups and stats. You can also visit the UEFA Europa League hub for tonight's other fixtures, and see team pages for AZ Alkmaar and Hapoel Be'er Sheva. To catch up on recent form, see Sunderland vs AZ Alkmaar and Hapoel Be'er Sheva vs Dinamo Zagreb. Also tonight: Lyon vs Crystal Palace. Check your local broadcaster for the TV channel.

FAQ

What time is AZ Alkmaar vs Hapoel Be'er Sheva in Kenya?
Kick-off is 19:45 EAT on Thursday 15 October 2026, which is 16:45 UTC.

Where is the match being played?
At the AFAS Stadion in Alkmaar, Netherlands.

How did both teams start in the Europa League?
AZ lost 1-0 at Sunderland. Hapoel Be'er Sheva drew 0-0 with Dinamo Zagreb.

Who is injured for AZ Alkmaar?
Kees Smit, Stije Resink and Jizz Hornkamp. Check the confirmed lineup before kick-off.

Who is favourite to win?
AZ Alkmaar, by a narrow margin.