Ararat-Armenia – AZ Alkmaar: Preview
We provide predictions for the Ararat-Armenia and AZ Alkmaar match in the third round of the group stage of the 2026/27 Europa League.
"Ararat-Armenia" is not up to par in its new tournament, losing two consecutive matches in the group stage. AZ has suffered a slight dip compared to the spectacular start of the season.
Key moments
Ararat-Armenia
1. "Ararat-Armenia" starts poorly in the Europa League group stage
For the Armenian champions, reaching the group stage of the second most important European tournament is already a historic achievement. The Tulyapa side jumped ahead, eliminating "Riga" and "Shmerok Rovers" from the Champions League and "Universitat Krayov" from the Europa League. However, in the 36‑team tournament, the Armenians appear as one of the outsiders. Even at home, with no chances, they lost 1:4 to the Prague club "Sparta". The second round against "Yegallonia" seemed an opportunity to add points: the opponent delivered a long series of defeats in the Polish league. But the Armenians also conceded 1:3 there. In the league, "Ararat-Armenia" is five points behind the leader "Noa".
2. Banjaqui injured, Tulyapa rotated in the league
In the last league round against CSKA of Yerevan, the main coach of "Ararat-Armenia" kept the core. Among the players who started in the Polish league squad, only goalkeeper Juan Bravo and central defender Bruno Wilson appeared. The naturalised Armenian national team player Junior Huilio is injured. In Poland, player Zidan Banjaqui suffered an injury, and it is unlikely he will play against the Dutch. The other midfielders rested and will come onto the field with renewed strength.
3. The defence of "Ararat-Armenia" is hard to consider reliable
In the current league, the team shares only the third‑fourth place in the reliability of the defensive line. Even there were matches with failures in the back: the game against "Gandzasar" in August (4:3) or the match against "Punik" (1:2). In two group‑stage matches, the Armenians let in seven goals. It seems the four goals against "Sparta" may not be the limit: AZ plays very well on the attack and, by the quality of its finishers, surpasses all previous opponents of "Ararat-Armenia".
AZ Alkmaar
1. After a successful start, AZ gives up a bit
The Alkmarenses were very convincing at the beginning of the season: from August to early September, they won six consecutive matches in all competitions, including the spectacular 4:0 win over PSV in the Dutch Super Cup. However, the team then began to give up in a predictable way. In the Europa League, AZ lost to the poorly started EPL side "Sanderland" (0:1) and managed to beat "Hapoel" from Be'er Sheva (2:1). In the league, they lost to "Feenoor" (0:2) and drew 2:2 in the last round against "Camburu".
2. Smith injured, possible squad rotation
Lee‑Roy Ehteld in the game against "Hapoel" presented an extremely experimental set‑up, clearly considering the tight Dutch league schedule. Only the Mexican national team striker Merdeink came off the bench, as did the Mexican national team defender Mateo Chavez. Captain Jordi Klas and key attacking player Kevin Stengs were not in the starting lineup. Given the upcoming matches against "Twente", "Ajax" and "Juventus", the Dutch club coach may again protect part of the core. In the hospital, AZ's most promising player, Kess Smith, is injured and his injury is linked to the team's decline.
3. AZ had already lost in Armenia and will not underestimate the opponent
In last season, the Alkmarenses played in the Conference League, where in February they played play‑off matches against "Noa" for the right to enter the 16th spot of the best teams in the tournament. The first game in Yerevan ended with a feeling: the owners won 1:0. The hopeful Dutch took the rematch on their own field – 4:0 – and moved on, but after that result they will not treat the Armenian club with arrogance. Moreover, "Ararat-Armenia" had to respect itself with the results in the home matches of the European tournament rounds, and AZ will be seriously motivated, even experimenting with the lineup.
Approximate lineups
4-3-3 4-2-3-1 9 8 João 4 3 Wilson 5 Felipe 16 Grigorian 2 Oliveira 17 Carlier 8 Balanta 20 Tera 7 Shagoyan 77 Serobyan 91 Lima 28 de Busher 4 Schauten 3 Gus 22 Dijkstra 34 de Vit 6 Kompeners 21 Kvakman 24 Oufkir 17 Andreasen 11 Daal 9 Merdeink
Trend betting
In four of the last six matches of "Ararat-Armenia" and five of the last eight matches of AZ, both teams scored. OZ – at 1.63.
In five of the last nine official matches of "Ararat-Armenia" they scored in the second half. In six of the last ten matches of AZ, they conceded in the second half. Second half – "Ararat-Armenia" will score – at 2.10.
Prediction
Ararat-Armenia vs AZ Alkmaar 22.10.2026 20:45
"Ararat-Armenia" starts poorly in the Europa League group stage, conceding seven goals in the first two matches against the less stellar opponents – "Sparta" from Prague and the crisis "Yegallonia". Tulyapa allowed a rotation in the domestic league match against the league outsider, so the core of the team will arrive fresh for the next game. At the same time, the Armenian champions' defence is hard to call reliable – in this season, difficulties emerged even in matches against "Punik" and "Gandzasar". AZ after a super successful start with the Super Cup and six consecutive wins gave up, but thanks to the points balance remains in second place in the championship. In the Europa League, the team lost to "Sanderland" and with an experimental set‑up beat "Hapoel". Due to the intense match schedule of the Dutch club late October – early November, AZ's coaching staff will again protect the leaders. The Alkmarenses once lost to another Armenian club in European competitions at home, so they will not underestimate the opponent. Assume a safe win for the visitors.
Prediction: 1-3
