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Crystal Palace v AZ Alkmaar: Line-ups, stats and preview

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Nov 5, 2025 - 16:30

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Preview for Crystal Palace v AZ Alkmaar

Crystal Palace will hope to banish the memory of their last Conference League game when they host AZ Alkmaar tomorrow night.

Having started their maiden European campaign proper with a win against Dynamo Kiev, Palace were expected to steamroller Cypriot side AEK Larnaca at Selhurst Park. But they came unstuck, losing 1-0, and a win against AZ is now of greater importance if they want to finish in the top eight spots.

Boss Oliver Glasner said of his side’s Dutch opponents: “There is never a must win. Yes, we want to win, we will do everything to win the game, but Alkmaar is a very experienced team in European football. Maybe not for their age [of the club] but they always qualify for European football.

“Two years ago they played Aston Villa in the group stage. Three years ago they played in the semi-finals of the Conference League and lost against West Ham – two very tight games, losing 1-0 and 2-1. In both games [against West Ham] they had more possession and showed good finishing.

“It’s a very good team, one of the top four teams in the Netherlands – Ajax, PSV, Feyenoord and Alkmaar.”

AZ have also won one, lost one, with their defeat also coming against AEK.

“I watched their last game against Sparta Rotterdam,” added Glasner. “Yes, they won 1-0 but they could have been three or four-nil up by half-time.

“It just showed how good they are. We will have to perform at our top level to get this win. It would make it a little easier to have this win for the following three games, but it is really a case of taking it step by step, game by game and make sure we put in our best performance tomorrow.”

From injury to recovery, the journey has been tough but now back with the group.
We're right behind you, Chadi and can't wait to see you back on the grass ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/uhfHYmKA9v— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) November 5, 2025

Morocco defender Chadi Riad will be included in the squad tomorrow but won’t play as he edges closer to a return from 11 months out due to a knee injury.

Glasner said: “That’s the best news: yesterday he was allowed to train with the team, and he had yesterday’s and today’s session.

“He will be in the matchday squad tomorrow. We have one spot [in the squad] free. I spoke to him, and it’s just wearing the shirt and seeing the Selhurst atmosphere.

“He won’t get minutes, to be honest, but now it’s to build him up step by step, training with him and playing a few minutes with the Under-21s to get back into the game rhythm.

“It’s important he goes step by step, and he will get all the support.”

AZ have won their last five in all competitions and their man to watch is teenage midfielder Kees Smit, who is reportedly on the radar of Real Madrid.

Team News for Crystal Palace v AZ Alkmaar

Adam Wharton has trained after missing the weekend win over Brentford but is likely to start on the bench. Eddie Nketiah, Cheick Doucoure and Rio Cardines are injured.

AZ are without Seiya Maikuma, Mexx Meerdink and Jordy Clasie.