AZ Alkmaar
- AZ Alkmaar are unbeaten in their last three home matches (W2, D1).
- The Alkmaarders sit fifth in the Eredivisie table with 28 points from 17 games.
- Maarten Martens took charge at AFAS Stadion in January 2024 and has turned them into a progressive, possession-based team that presses high and moves the ball forward with fluidity in a 4-3-3 formation.
- They are full of young talent and have a forward in Troy Parrott that is in hot form, the striker having scored four of AZ’s last 10 goals.
Excelsior Rotterdam
- Excelsior Rotterdam have failed to win either of their last two away matches (D1, L1).
- Rotterdam are 14th with 19 points from 17 matches.
- Excelsior are in a different position right now, needing to be more solid and pragmatic to earn a shot at survival in the Eredivisie.
- Ruben den Uil, who joined in July 2024, has set up a solid compact 4-2-3-1 that defends with a double pivot and is set up to be more of a counterattacking threat.
Head-to-Head
Excelsior have failed to win any of their last three away games against AZ.
Key Players
Troy Parrott - the striker has been in hot form, scoring four of AZ’s last 10 goals .
Betting Insights
- AZ are 1.3 favorites for this game and rightfully so with Excelsior at 9.1.
- AZ made a statement with a 6-0 win over Ajax in the KNVB Cup just two days ago.
- Excelsior are fresh from a 0-0 draw with Telstar and a 5-1 hammering by PSV Eindhoven.
- The hosts are scoring 2.38 goals per home game and conceding 1.88.
Prediction
Backing AZ to dominate the game and win is the preferred approach, although over 2.5 goals at 1.4 is a good alternative given the hosts' scoring and conceding numbers.
