AZ Alkmaar vs Sparta Prague Preview & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Conference League | Round of 16

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Dutch giants AZ Alkmaar take on Sparta Prague in the round of 16 of the UEFA Europa Conference League at the AFAS Stadion in Alkmaar in the Netherlands this midweek.

Kick-off date/time: 12 March 2026 at 5:45 pm

How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / USA – Not televised

How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / USA – Paramount+

Key stats

• This is the first UEFA match between AZ Alkmaar and Sparta Praha.
• AZ Alkmaar are unbeaten in their eight previous UEFA matches against Czech teams (W4 D4).
• AZ Alkmaar have won both of their previous UEFA two‑legged ties against Czech opposition, most recently a 2-1 aggregate victory over Slovan Liberec in the 2013/14 UEFA Europa League round of 32.
• AZ Alkmaar have won 12 of their last 14 UEFA two-legged ties.
• AZ Alkmaar have won nine of their last 13 UEFA matches (D1 L3).
• AZ Alkmaar have kept nine clean sheets in their last 13 UEFA matches.
• Sparta Praha have lost only three of their 14 previous UEFA matches against Dutch teams (W6 D5).
• Sparta Praha have won both of their previous UEFA two‑legged ties against Dutch opposition, most recently a 4-2 aggregate victory over PEC Zwolle in the 2014/15 UEFA Europa League qualifying play-off round.
• Sparta Praha have won eight of their last 11 UEFA matches (W8 D1).
• Sparta Praha have won their last six UEFA two-legged ties. 

AZ Alkmaar vs Sparta Prague prediction

AZ Alkmaar come into this one on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Eredivisie leaders PSV Eindhoven at the weekend. They managed to come from behind to defeat Armenian champions Noah by four goals to one on aggregate in the knockout playoff round.

They now face a Sparta Prague side that most recently succumbed to a 3-1 loss to capital city arch-rivals Slavia Prague the other day. That leaves them sitting ten points adrift of their unbeaten rivals at the top-of-the-table domestically.

With their home advantage, AZ will be expected to take the game to Sparta but the visitors do appear to slightly the better side and both teams scoring seems a good bet.

AZ Alkmaar vs Sparta Prague tip: Both teams to score