Europa League LIVE streaming: AZ vs Benfica - Watch on April 3, 2014

Topics: Live Stream, TV Schedules, Live Scores, Benfica, AZ Alkmaar, Dutch Eredivisie, Europa League, Jorge Jesus, Dick Advocaat, Fox Soccer Plus

AZ Alkmaar may be the underdog heading into Thursday's fixture, but the Dutch outfit will certainly give Benfica a tough two matches. Fox Soccer Plus will provide live coverage of this Europa League match, as they meet for the first time.

Preview: Benfica and AZ Alkmaar meet for the first time in an official match

Benfica’s current run of form has been fantastic, and they will look to continue that on Thursday night in Holland.

Jorge Jesus’ side is currently sitting top of the Portuguese League with a seven point lead over Lisbon rivals Sporting CP. They continued their fine form at the weekend with a victory over Braga, after coming up short mid-week against Porto in the first leg of the Taça de Portugal quarterfinals.

After getting eliminated from the Champions League in a group that saw PSG and Olympiakos go through, the Eagles are looking to make their way back to the Europa League final.

They made it their last season, with the final being held in the Amsterdam Arena. A stoppage time goal from Branislav Ivanovic was just another torn in Benfica’s side, as they crumbled in the final month of the season, losing out on the Portuguese League, Europa League and the Taça de Portugal.

Determined to make up for last season’s heartache, Benfica have been playing well, and AZ Alkmaar are their next obstacle.

“Our recent European performances just show how much quality we have, also on a European level,” Jorge Jesus told reporters. “That’s a good thing for the team, for the players, for the club and the image of the club. If you manage to perform at such a high level, then the whole world sees you and takes notes.”

Jesus will be without suspended Enzo Perez, who has asserted himself in the Benfica squad in the last two years. And with Serbian midfielder Ljubomir Fejsa being left out of the squad, Ruben Amorim and possibly Andre Gomes will try to sort things out in the center of the park.

AZ coach Dirk Advocaat will not be able to call on defender Jan Wuytens due to suspension as well. But the Dutch manager remains confident that his side can get a positive result at home on Thursday.

“I don’t think it’s a David and Goliath situation, especially with our home game,” Advocaat said. “We have a lot of respect for our opponents, but if Ajax can win against Barcelona, then we can win against Benfica, why not?”