Just one step remains before the Conference League group stage. The question is who will take it — Levski Sofia, not even the leading force in Bulgarian football, or AZ Alkmaar, a side that reached the last 16 of last season’s Europa League? The answer seems obvious, but perhaps one of Bulgaria’s most storied clubs can at least make it competitive in Sofia.
Levski Sofia
This summer’s qualifiers showed Levski can frustrate stronger opponents. The only side comparable to AZ Alkmaar in terms of level was Braga, who only edged past them in extra time of the Europa League second qualifying round. Across the four regulation halves, neither team scored. In fact, Levski are hard to break down: in 11 matches this season, they have conceded just four goals, never more than one in 90 minutes.
AZ Alkmaar
AZ Alkmaar, meanwhile, are coming from a fifth-place finish in the Eredivisie, which left them in the Conference League. They enjoyed themselves against Finnish outfit Ilves in the second round, the two games producing 12 goals in total — two-thirds of them scored by the Dutch. Generally, AZ Alkmaar’s fixtures, both in Europe and at home, have been goal-heavy.
Levski Sofia vs AZ Alkmaar Prediction
Even so, that doesn’t guarantee a shoot-out here. The Bulgarians already showed in the 2023/24 Conference League play-off that they can keep things tight against a heavyweight: both games with Eintracht Frankfurt finished under 2.5 goals, 1:1 in Sofia and 0:2 in Germany. Expect a similarly cagey affair this time around.
