Ararat Armenia vs AZ Alkmaar Prediction, H2H Stats & Statistical Bets 22 October 2026
🔊 The first Armenian club in history to reach the league phase of the Europa League are hosting one of the Eredivisie's leading sides. Ararat-Armenia have lost both of their opening matches in the competition and will do everything they can to pick up their first points. AZ lost in Armenia last season but went on to beat Noah 4-1 on aggregate. So there is little doubt about who the favourites are.
Head-to-Head
The two sides have never met before.
Ararat consistently find the net at home
Ararat's European campaign has been a difficult one: two matches, two defeats, with a goal difference of 1-7. They lost 1-4 at home to Sparta, then 1-3 away to Jagiellonia. Only Polish side Lech have conceded more at this stage. That said, Tulipa's side haven't looked completely disorganised - they exceeded one xG in each of those matches, and in the Armenian league they sit second with 23 points, five behind Noah.
Tulipa sets the team up in a 4-3-3 with an emphasis on quick transitions through the flanks, and it has produced results. Ararat have scored in eight consecutive home matches, and in 7 of their previous 8 they covered the +1.5 handicap. Opponents of this calibre don't come along often for the hosts, but they do have a reasonable chance of scoring at least once.
Match Results: Ararat Armenia
AZ have hit a rough patch
AZ go into this match on the back of a difficult run. On 10 October they lost 2-0 to Feyenoord, and on the 18th they drew 2-2 with Cambuur, having to come from behind twice and rescue a point in the 83rd minute. In the Eredivisie, Lee-Roy Echteld's side sit second with 20 points, but have won just once in their last four league rounds.
Their Europa League campaign has also had a rocky start: the Cheesemakers lost 1-0 to Sunderland in the opening matchday. A home win over Hapoel Beer Sheva (2-1) lifted them to 20th place with three points. AZ dominated the Israeli side but did not look as convincing as their fans would have liked. Their non-penalty xG was just 1.46, meaning they did not create a great deal of clear-cut chances.
Match Results: AZ Alkmaar
Latest news
Ararat Armenia
❓ There is a question mark over the availability of winger Zidan Banjaqui, who was substituted off in the match against Jagiellonia. Otherwise, the hosts look to have a fully fit squad.
AZ Alkmaar
❌ Jordi Clasie stayed in Alkmaar, though not through injury - he was rested ahead of a busy schedule. Kees Smit is injured, as is Jizz Hornkamp.
🟨 Yellow Cards Prediction
Both teams' matches in this season's Europa League have been producing plenty of bookings. Ararat's games are averaging 4.8 yellow cards, while AZ's matches are averaging as many as 6.5. The hosts may struggle to cope with their opponents' pace and resort to fouling them during transitions, with the young Dutch visitors likely to give as good as they get in that regard. Total Yellow Cards - Over 3.5 at 1.64* looks a justified selection.
⚽ Goals Prediction
Ararat have not been particularly reliable defensively at the start of their European campaign, but the visitors have not been impressing in front of goal either. AZ have scored fewer than 2.5 goals in six consecutive matches. In Armenia, the Dutch side will almost certainly not be fielding their strongest XI, so it is reasonable to expect that low-scoring trend to continue. This bet at 1.48* looks interesting.
🚩 Corners Prediction
Both sides have been producing high corner counts. Ararat's matches and AZ's matches alike have been consistently generating more than eight corners. Given that both teams need to win, neither side is expected to sit back and play purely defensively. Total Corners - Over 8.5 at 1.46* looks a justified selection. This bet has landed in 13 of AZ Alkmaar's last 14 away matches.
*Odds are approximate and may vary across different bookmakers.
⭐️ Editorial Prediction
Ararat are making their league phase debut and have already lost two matches, but they are capable of making things difficult at home. AZ have arrived in Yerevan without several key players and following a difficult run in the Eredivisie. They also have a crucial match coming up against one of their direct rivals, Twente. Rotation is to be expected, which improves the hosts' chances. It is hard to believe Ararat will take points from this, but a goal seems quite plausible. The main bet is therefore Both Teams to Score - Yes. Correct score prediction: 1-2.
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Betting Tips: Ararat Armenia - AZ Alkmaar
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in 17 of last 19 games.in 7 of last 8 home games.in 14 of last 15 Ararat Armenia games.in 16 of last 18 AZ Alkmaar away games.in last 6 AZ Alkmaar games.Comparison of Teams Stats
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