**Thursday night promises a thrilling lineup of football excitement** as playoff matches unfold in both Scotland and the Netherlands. With relegation battles, promotion stakes, and spots for European qualifications on the line, football enthusiasts have a feast of options to explore across three intense fixtures.
In one corner, **Ross County** faces a pivotal clash against **Livingston**, desperately striving to remain in the Scottish top-flight. Meanwhile, **Troy Parrott** and his squad, **AZ Alkmaar**, find themselves in the hunt for a UEFA Conference League position, going head-to-head with **Heerenveen** in the Dutch Eredivisie.
In this context, **Paddy Power News football tipster** Feargal Brennan is back on Thursday with his five expertly crafted picks as part of a refreshing **Multi-Match Bet Builder**.
### Time for Hot Football Action
#### **5:45 PM: AZ Alkmaar vs Heerenveen**
**AZ to Win**
**Troy Parrott to Score**
#### **8:00 PM: Twente vs NEC**
**Twente to Win**
**Sem Steijn to Score**
#### **8:00 PM: Livingston vs Ross County**
**Livingston to Win**
*Odds are current with our dynamic widgets, and while prices are accurate at the time of publishing, they may change.*
### **Match Insights: AZ Alkmaar vs Heerenveen**
– **Location:** AFAS Stadion, Alkmaar
– **TV:** TrillerTV
#### **AZ to Win**
Following a sensational late-season surge, **PSV** claimed the Dutch Eredivisie title, but the drama isn’t over yet! The quest for the final European qualification spot leads us to a four-team playoff scenario. Here, **AZ Alkmaar**, who finished fifth, will challenge **ninth-place Heerenveen**.
**AZ’s** formidable form, remaining unbeaten in their last six games with **four wins** and **two draws**, makes them a tough opponent. Additionally, remember that they obliterated Heerenveen 9-1 earlier this season—this could be a repeat of that result!
#### **Troy Parrott to Score**
**Troy Parrott**, Ireland’s rising star, is having a standout season at AZ Alkmaar, netting **14 goals** to become the club’s top scorer for 2024/25. With two goals in his last three games and a remarkable tally in that 9-1 victory, he’s definitely one to watch!
### **Match Insights: Twente vs NEC**
– **Location:** De Grolsch Veste, Enschede
– **TV:** TrillerTV
#### **Twente to Win**
Finishing **11 points** clear of NEC in the standings, Twente stands as the clear favorite to claim victory on their home turf. Despite ending the season on a shaky note with two consecutive losses, they’ve previously triumphed in both encounters against NEC this season, which bodes well for them.
#### **Sem Steijn to Score**
Keep your eyes peeled for **Sem Steijn**, who is on fire this season—his 24 goals have clinched him the Dutch league’s golden boot. With six goals in just his last 11 appearances, he’s poised for another standout performance!
### **Match Insights: Livingston vs Ross County**
– **Location:** Almondvale Stadium, Livingston
– **TV:** Sky Sports Football
#### **Livingston to Win**
This playoff clash is pivotal for **Livingston**, looking to secure their place back in the Scottish top-flight. They capped off a commendable **2024/25** season by finishing second in the Championship, boasting an impressive record of six wins from the last seven games—two of which were playoff semi-finals victories.
In contrast, **Ross County** limps into the match after finishing near the bottom of the Premiership, suffering a rough patch with seven losses and two draws in their last nine matches. **Livingston’s** fantastic home form, winning four of their last five, positions them well for a strong start.
### **Thursday’s Football Betting Tips Recap**
– **5:45 PM: AZ Alkmaar vs Heerenveen**
**AZ to Win**
**Troy Parrott to Score**
– **8:00 PM: Twente vs NEC**
**Twente to Win**
**Sem Steijn to Score**
– **8:00 PM: Livingston vs Ross County**
**Livingston to Win**
*Odds are up-to-date, though subject to change as the matches approach.*
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### **More Resources**
#### The Paddy Power Guide to Safer Gambling – Everything You Need to Know
