Preview:Vaduz vs AZ Alkmaar - prediction, team news, lineups

With one foot in the playoff round of the UEFA Conference League, AZ Alkmaar will travel to face Vaduz at Rheinpark Stadion on Thursday for the second leg of their third qualifying round tie.

Residenzler will need to open up from kick off, while De Kaasboeren will be focused on avoiding any slip ups in midweek.

Match preview

Marc Schneider's Vaduz may be enjoying an unbeaten start to their campaign in the Challenge League - Switzerland's second division - but they have their work cut out for them if they are to eventually reach the league phase after a disastrous first leg.

Last Thursday, Residenzler were beaten 3-0 at AFAS Stadion, failing to produce even a single shot on target against the Eredivisie side.

That being said, knowing that it will take at least three goals to avoid elimination, Schneider's men will draw confidence from the fact that they progressed to this stage by coming from behind with a 3-0 win in the second leg of their second-round tie against Dungannon Swifts.

Additionally, the hosts have triumphed in five of their last seven home matches, including their 3-0 victory over Stade Nyonnais on Sunday.

Should Vaduz pull off a miraculous comeback on Thursday, then it would take them through to the playoff round for the first time since 2022-23, and just the second time in the club's history.

Meanwhile, Maarten Martens's AZ are on the cusp of making the playoff round, and the boss will be keen to avoid any self-inflicted errors this week.

In the first leg, De Kaasboeren gained their sizeable advantage courtesy of a brace from Irish forward Troy Parrott either side of half time, and a Puskas Award contender from Mexx Meerdink 10 minutes from the final whistle.

At the weekend, Martens's side kicked off their Eredivisie campaign by earning all three points in a 4-1 win over Groningen, with Parrott once again firing a double.

AZ have made the group stage or league phase of a European competition in each of the last four seasons, and they will be expecting to move one step closer to a fifth straight qualification on Thursday.

However, supporters would be forgiven for harbouring some minor doubts given that they conceded four goals in their most recent away game, a 4-3 defeat on the road against Ilves in the first leg of their second round tie.

Vaduz Conference League form:

Vaduz form (all competitions):

AZ Alkmaar Conference League form:

AZ Alkmaar form (all competitions):

Team News

AZ need to score at least three goals during 90 minutes this week, and the strike partnership of Jonathan De Donno and Marcel Monsberger will be desperate to get off to a quick start.

In the centre of the park, Mischa Eberhard, Luca Mack and Stephan Seiler will be looking to provide stability for the frontline, while Ruben Dantas Fernandes operates in an attacking midfield role.

As for AZ, Martens will be relying on centre-backs Wouter Goes and Alexandre Penetra to keep their hosts at bay, and protect Jeroen Zoet between the sticks.

Up top, Troy Parrott should start once again, looking to continue his excellent goalscoring form, and the striker is likely to be flanked by Ernest Poku and Ro-Zangelo Daal.

Vaduz possible starting lineup:

Schaffran; Hasler, Simani, Berisha, Schwizer; Eberhard, Mack, Seiler; Fernandes; Donno, Monsberger

AZ Alkmaar possible starting lineup:

Zoet; Kasius, Goes, Penetra, De Wit; Smit, Koopmeiners, Mijnans; Poku, Parrott, Daal