As the 2018/19 season rapidly approaches, some of the top clubs from the Eredivisie turn their focus to European qualifiers.

Ajax are set to face Sturm Graz in the Champions League, whilst AZ Alkmaar and Vitesse hope to confirm their spot in the Europa League on Thursday, with Feyenoord joining the adventure in the next round.

AZ Alkmaar confirmed that they would be qualifying for a place in the Europa League after finishing Third, leading to a match with FC Kairat of Kazakhstan.

Kairat were the runners up in last seasons Kazakhstan Premier League and are now looking to qualify for the Group Stages of a European competition for the first time.

The Kazakh side will struggle against a quality team like AZ Alkmaar, with the task made even harder with the loss of top scorer Gerard Gohu.

The Ivorian had been the top scorer in the Kazakhstan Premier League for the last three seasons, but the main sting of the Kairat attack has moved to Chinese side, Beijing Enterprise.

Kairat were 10-1 victors on aggregate in their first qualifying game, demolishing Romanian side Engordany 7-1 in the home leg.

Vitesse made their way into the Europa League after beating Utrecht 5-3 on aggregate in the play-offs.

Read about that match here.

The Arnhem side will now face Romanian side FC Viitorul who are interestingly owned and managed by Romanian legend Gheorghe Hagi who helped create the club in 2009.

Viitorul began their life in Liga III, the third division of Romanian football, but found their way into the top division just four years later, winning Liga I in 2017.

The side is captained by Hagi’s son, Ianis, with the 19-year-old proving a bright prospect for Romanian football.

Having already represented his country and under 21 level eight times, the young midfielder will be one of the biggest threats to Vitesse.

Both of the Eredivisie sides are stron favourites to progress to next round of qualifying, but will need to be careful with tricky away trips on the horizon.