In a highly anticipated rematch of last season’s KNVB Beker final, AZ Alkmaar is set to host Go Ahead Eagles at AFAS Stadion in a crucial Eredivisie clash. Following their impressive victory over AZ in the domestic cup, Go Ahead Eagles will seek to break a long-standing winless streak against the Cheese Farmers in league play, having last claimed victory in this matchup in February 2014.
Match Preview
AZ Alkmaar comes into this fixture following a rollercoaster performance against PEC Zwolle, where they staged a remarkable comeback to win 3-1 in the cup after trailing at halftime. Maarten Martens’s team showed resilience, with an equalizer from Sven Mijnans helping to turn the tide. Despite their cup success, AZ’s league form has been concerning, marked by three consecutive defeats to PSV Eindhoven (5-1), Heerenveen (3-1), and Twente (1-0). Fans will be hoping that the confidence from their cup performance will translate into a much-needed league victory.
Conversely, Go Ahead Eagles have struggled since their surprise win over Feyenoord, finding themselves without a win in their last three outings. Their recent performances included defeats against Heracles (4-2) and Stuttgart (4-0), along with a 2-2 draw with Utrecht, where they battled back from two goals down. Now, they hope to shift their fortunes in a daunting away matchup, where they have previously underperformed.
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Historically, AZ Alkmaar has dominated their encounters with Go Ahead Eagles in the Eredivisie, winning 10 of their last 12 meetings since 2014. This puts added pressure on the visitors as they attempt to rectify a dismal away record, having lost four consecutive matches on the road.
Team News
In terms of squad availability, AZ Alkmaar is relatively healthy, missing only a few key players: Jordy Clasie (ankle), Mexx Meerdink (groin), and Seiya Maikuma (knee). Troy Parrott, who has seven league goals this season, is looking to regain form after missing a crucial penalty against Twente but provided an assist that spurred AZ’s cup win. Sven Mijnans will be a vital presence in attack, having contributed significantly this season.
For Go Ahead Eagles, the injury list is more extensive. They will be without Gerrit Nauber (leg), Soren Tengstedt, Pim Saathof (knee), and Robbin Weijenberg (knee), which might hinder their chances of competing effectively.
Looking Ahead
As the match day approaches, predictions lean towards AZ Alkmaar securing a narrow victory, potentially 2-1 against Go Ahead Eagles. The home advantage at AFAS Stadion, coupled with the Eagles’ struggles away from home, suggests that the Cheese Farmers could reclaim their form in the league and secure a vital three points. With both teams eager to break their current streaks, fans can expect a fiercely contested encounter in Alkmaar.
