Ararat-Armenia host AZ Alkmaar in Europa League

The table split

Ararat-Armenia have lost both their opening fixtures and carry a goal difference of minus five. AZ Alkmaar drew their opener before winning last time out, leaving them on three points with a goal difference of zero. A win on Thursday would take the visitors to six points from three games, level with the quartet of clubs currently sharing top spot on maximum points. Defeat would leave Ararat-Armenia on zero points from three played.

Recent form offers little to separate the sides. Both have won two, drawn one and lost two of their last five matches across all competitions. Ararat-Armenia's most recent outing ended in a 3-1 defeat, while AZ Alkmaar drew 2-2 in theirs.

What the market expects

The market-implied probability gives AZ Alkmaar a 63.1 per cent chance of winning in Yerevan, against 16.6 per cent for the home side and 20.3 per cent for a draw. That assessment sits comfortably with the gap in the table and the fact that AZ have already registered a European win this season while Ararat-Armenia have yet to take a point. The numbers point the same way as the standings.

We are covering this one live. Follow it with us in the match centre for the line-ups when they land, the goals as they go in, and the full timeline.