AZ Alkmaar

vs

FC Volendam

Preview

AZ Alkmaar

• AZ Alkmaar have been solid, but unspectacular in the Eredivisie this season and currently sit 6th with 25 points from 16 matches, eleven more than 16th-placed FC Volendam, who have played one game more (14 points from 17 games).
• AZ Alkmaar have lost just 1 of their 7 Eredivisie home games this season (Won 3, Drawn 3, Lost 1).
• Martens introduced a more progressive, possession-based approach to AZ in January 2024 that has seen his side create much more in the final third.
• The Cheese Heads are incredibly flexible, with 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 variations the norm, and usually involve fullbacks who push high up the field and a double pivot that dictates play.

FC Volendam

• FC Volendam have lost both of their last two Eredivisie away games.
• Volendam, meanwhile, will look to sit deep, be compact and counter-attack when possible from a 4-3-3 system.
• Volendam have been poor travellers in the top-flight, losing 6 and drawing 2 of their 8 Eredivisie away matches this term.
• They have conceded an average of 2.38 goals per game and scored only 0.62 themselves on their travels.

Head-to-Head

• Volendam have yet to win any of the last 3 Eredivisie head-to-head meetings with Alkmaar (D1, L2).
• The previous encounter ended 2-2 on Volendam’s ground four months ago.
• Volendam have been even worse since then (1 win, 4 defeats in last 5 in all competitions).

Key Players

• Notable players to watch:
  • Sven Mijnans has scored 4 of AZ’s last 9 goals in his last 5 games.
  • Troy Parrott has been a big addition to the Eredivisie this year, scoring 9 goals in just 11 appearances.
  • Volendam top-scorer Henk Veerman has 4 goals in 17 league matches.

Betting Insights

• AZ are heavy favorites in this one at 1.21.
• AZ average 2.57 goals per home game in the Eredivisie this campaign (18 goals total).
• Make a case for the Over 2.5 goals bet at 1.28.

Prediction

• Take AZ to win on Saturday.
• Expect an open game with plenty of attacking play.