Recommended bets
Over 2.5 goals is 17/20.
Both teams to score is 4/5.
AZ Alkmaar to win is 3/5.
AZ Alkmaar to win and over 2.5 goals is 8/5.
Match preview
AZ Alkmaar v Heracles Almelo – Dutch KNVB Cup Second Round ALKMAAR, NETHERLANDS – DECEMBER 15: Jesper Karlsson of AZ during the Dutch TOTO KNVB Cup match between AZ and Heracles at AFAS Stadion on December 15, 2021 in Alkmaar, Netherlands. (Photo by Patrick Goosen/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
European nights are back at Tannadice, but will it be an occasion to savour?
Dundee United famously reached the UEFA Cup Final in 1987, beaten 2-1 over two legs by IFK Göteborg.
At the weekend, the new Scottish Premiership season began with Jack Ross taking charge of the Arabs for the first time.
His side looked set for a victory at Rugby Park when Dylan Levitt broke the deadlock.
However, Ian Harkes was then controversially sent off before Kilmarnock equalised in stoppage time.
Here, the difficulty levels will go up quite a few notches with seasoned European veterans in town.
AZ Alkmaar reached the Europa Conference League round of 16 earlier this calendar year, eventually ousted by Bodø/Glimt.
This was after the Cheeseheads had featured in their 13th UEFA Group stage, all since 2004.
Pascal Jansen’s side began this campaign in the previous round, easily swatting aside Tuzla City 5-0.
After a 1-0 win in the Netherlands, Dani de Wit, Vangelis Pavlidis, Mayckel Lahdo and Fedde de Jong all scored last Thursday in Sarajevo.
So, to say AZ come into this clash as big favourites would be an understatment.
Can a sold-out Tannadice crowd roar their team onto a first leg victory?
Dundee United team news
Dundee United FC v Celtic FC – Scottish Cup Sixth Round
Ian Harkes red card at Rugby Park means he will be suspended for Sunday’s clash with Livingston, but is available here.
Mark Birighitti is the new goalkeeper at Tannadice after Benjamin Siegrist left for Celtic.
Fellow new signings Craig Sibbald, Glen Middleton and Steven Fletcher all made their debuts on Saturday.
Meanwhile, weekend scorer Dylan Levitt has made his move from Manchester United a permanent one, to much fanfare.
Centre-back Charlie Mulgrew has made 46 appearance in UEFA competition for Aberdeen and Celtic and his experience will be key here.
AZ Alkmaar team news
AZ v FC Utrecht – Dutch Eredivisie ALKMAAR, NETHERLANDS – OCTOBER 17: Dani De Wit of AZ celebrating his goal with Albert Gudmundsson of AZ during the Dutch Eredivisie match between AZ and FC Utrecht at AFAS Stadion on October 17, 2021 in Alkmaar, Netherlands (Photo by Patrick Goosen/BSR Agency””Getty Images)
AZ’s first-choice left-back Owen Wijndal has left the club this summer, joining Ajax for €9 million.
His replacement Mees de Wit will start here.
Centre-back Bruno Martins Indi started a World Cup semi-final for Netherlands eight years ago and will captain AZ in this one.
Dani de Wit scored in both legs against Tuzla City, highlighting that he is their danger man.