<p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt;">The two teams will feel they have a good chance of winning this European <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer">soccer betting</a> competition, but who will take advantage when they meet on Friday, April 9 (KO 06:00 AEST)?</p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt;">&nbsp;</p><h2 style="margin-bottom:4pt;margin-top:18pt;">Quick Picks</h2><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt;"><strong>Our pick:</strong> Shakhtar to win</p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt;"><strong>Value bet:</strong> Over 2.5 Goals</p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt;"><strong>Long shot:</strong> Shakhtar to win 2-1</p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt;">&nbsp;</p><h2 style="margin-bottom:4pt;margin-top:18pt;">Betting Preview</h2><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt;">Arda Turan's Shakhtar squad managed to qualify for the knockout stage of this competition automatically, which wasn't a real surprise given how competitive they typically are in European soccer tournaments.</p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt;">They won four of their six games, drawing one and losing the other.</p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt;">They scored 10 goals and conceded five, keeping three clean sheets.</p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt;">In the Round of 16, they faced Lech Poznan and managed to advance with a 4-3 aggregate victory.</p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt;">The first leg saw them win 3-1 in Poznan before losing 2-1 in Krakow, where they will take on AZ Alkmaar.</p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt;">The Dutch team managed to secure their passage to the knockout stages via the play-off route.</p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt;">They finished 14th in the Group Phase, winning three and drawing one (two defeats). Goals were a little bit of a struggle, as they scored seven and shipped the same number.</p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt;">In the play-offs, they managed to defeat Noah 4-1 on aggregate despite losing the 1st leg 1-0 away from home.</p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt;">In the Round of 16, they would be much better as they eliminated Sparta Praha 6-1 on aggregate, winning both games by a scoreline of 2-1 and 4-0.</p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt;">They've had six clean sheets across the tournament.</p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt;">&nbsp;</p><h2 style="margin-bottom:4pt;margin-top:18pt;">Betting Markets to Watch</h2><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt;">Odds are tight between these two teams, with the early indicators suggesting a <strong>Shakhtar win</strong>.</p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt;">Indeed, they boast a solid 67% win rate in their last six home encounters, which is perhaps why they edge early thoughts.</p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt;">AZ have been very up and down in away games in this competition.</p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt;">They've lost half of those played on the road, which is what makes them slight outsiders.</p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt;">With both teams able to score goals, we think there may be value in the '<strong>Over 2.5 Goals' market</strong>.</p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt;">Three of AZ's last four have seen this number surpassed, while two of Shakhtar's last three have hit.</p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt;">By extension, we think the <strong>BTTS has a good chance of hitting</strong>, with value being offered here.</p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt;">Both teams have shown they can be vulnerable at the back recently.</p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt;"><strong>Sven Mijnans offers value as an anytime goalscorer</strong> for AZ, as he has four in this year's competition.</p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt;">&nbsp;</p><h2 style="margin-bottom:4pt;margin-top:18pt;">Our Prediction</h2><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt;">Check the latest <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/uefa-competitions/uefa-europa-conference-league/shakhtar-v-az-alkmaar-10280411">Shakhtar vs AZ Alkmaar betting odds</a> at Sportsbet.</p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt;">We think <strong>Shakhtar should have enough about them to win</strong> this encounter.</p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt;">AZ haven't always travelled well, and the Ukrainian outfit appear to be fairly solid when playing in European competition.</p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt;">For those looking to learn more about <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/punter-iq/guide/how-to-bet-uefa-conference-league">how to bet on the Conference League</a>, this match offers a good example of home advantage in knockout ties.</p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt;">As our long shot, we think the <strong>most likely outcome is a Shakhtar 2-1 victory</strong>, with goals likely.</p>