Sparta Prague vs AZ Alkmaar: Prediction, Team News, and Lineups Preview

Mo. Basuony

Published: March 19, 2026 6:10 PM ET

Sparta Prague and AZ Alkmaar meet at the epet ARENA on Thursday evening in the second leg of their Conference League last-16 tie. AZ hold a slim advantage after a 2-1 first-leg win at the AFAS Stadion last week.

This Sparta Prague vs AZ Alkmaar: Prediction, Team News, and Lineups Preview examines the key issues ahead of the decider. The tie promises an open encounter in Prague.

Match context

Sparta played their third straight away match since early March in the first leg. Matyas Vojta levelled after Troy Parrott opened the scoring. Parrott then struck late to secure AZ’s victory.

Sparta responded in the league with a 5-2 win over Slovacko. Jan Kuchta scored twice off the bench in the second half. The club remains in contention for second place in the Czech Liga, trailing Slavia Prague with nine regular-season games to play.

Sparta aim to reach their first European quarter-final since losing to Villarreal in the 2016 Europa League. Their home form is strong. They scored five goals in each of their last two home games. The side had five straight wins at the epet ARENA around Christmas and kept three clean sheets in that run. No visiting team has opened the scoring at the ground since December.

AZ show a stark home and away contrast. They backed up the 2-1 win over Sparta with a 4-0 victory over Heracles. That run extended their home winning streak to five matches. On the road, AZ have lost three consecutive matches, including a defeat to Noah in the Conference League knockout playoffs.

The Eredivisie picture remains challenging for AZ. They sit seven points shy of Champions League qualification. The club can still aim for European football via the Conference League or the KNVB Beker. AZ have often scored early. They have opened the scoring in six of their last seven matches.

Team News

Sparta face several absences and doubts. Magnus Andersen and Ondrej Penxa are out with knee injuries. Patrik Vydra is sidelined with an ankle problem.

Elias Cobbaut, Sivert Mannsverk, Santiago Eneme, Asger Sorensen, and Peter Vindahl are ruled out.
Lukas Haraslin left the Slovacko game injured and is a fitness concern.
Matej Rynes and Adam Sevinsky missed the Slovacko match with muscle issues and are doubtful.
Emmanuel Uchenna is also a doubt due to health issues.

AZ also carry several injury concerns. Jordy Clasie remains sidelined with an ankle issue. Mateo Chavez and Seiya Maikuma are on the club’s injury list.

Ro-Zangelo Daal withdrew after 32 minutes against Heracles and is doubtful.
Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro and Jeroen Zoet are major doubts in goal.
Hobie Verhulst could start his second consecutive game between the posts if doubts persist.
Troy Parrott was man of the match in the first leg and has been involved in five of AZ’s last six goals.