AZ Alkmaar - Hapoel Beer Sheva

AZ Alkmaar face a pivotal test of character as they look to recover from a recent league defeat when they host Hapoel Beer Sheva on 15 October 2026 for matchday 2 of the Europa League at AFAS Stadion. The home side enters the contest aiming to sharpen their attacking edge, with Mexx Meerdink expected to lead the line despite the high-impact absence of the injured Kees Smit. A balanced midfield anchored by Jordy Clasie will be tasked with controlling the tempo against a visiting side that has shown defensive resilience in recent outings.

Hapoel Beer Sheva arrive at AFAS Stadion following a solid domestic run, highlighted by a recent victory over Ironi Tiberias. Their European campaign began with a hard-fought draw against Dinamo Zagreb, suggesting they are well-equipped to handle the pressures of this competition. With Igor Zlatanovic and Javon East expected to spearhead their attack, the visitors will look to exploit any gaps in the AZ backline to secure a positive result on the road.