VVV Venlo (home)
- VVV Venlo have won three, drawn one and lost just one of their last five Eerste Divisie matches.
- The home team, who have been solid, if unspectacular, in eighth place on 30 points from 21 Eerste Divisie games, are clear favorites at 1.85.
- VVV Venlo average 1.27 goals both scored and conceded per home match in Eerste Divisie this season.
Jong AZ (away)
- Jong AZ Alkmaar have won only one and lost two of their last three Eerste Divisie away matches.
- The away side sit in 18th on 20 points from 22 games.
- Leeroy Echteld’s team have lost four of their last five Eerste Divisie contests, with three consecutive defeats highlighting defensive frailties.
Head-to-Head
Both teams have won one of the last two meetings, but VVV haven’t beaten Jong AZ on home turf in their two previous attempts to do so.
Forwards
- Sem van Duijn, who has been a bright spot for Jong AZ this term, leads the line with nine goals in 21 Eerste Divisie appearances and is supported by the three assists that Kasper Boogaard has created in the last five.
- VVV’s main scoring threat comes from Bjorn van Zijl, who has five in 15 appearances this term.
- Dean Zandbergen has been a more clinical presence, however, scoring three of VVV’s last six goals in their previous five contests, while Navarone Foor has been the best provider with three assists in the same period.
Betting Insights
- The odds on offer mean there is still value to be gained in backing the hosts here because Alkmaar’s youngsters have shown some sparks in recent weeks that suggest they won’t be a pushover on Friday.
- Back both teams to score in a free-flowing game.
- Expect a contest that can be stretched by Jong AZ’s positive, possession-first, high-tempo approach.
Prediction
- A narrow win is the preferred outcome here because Jong AZ have played much more positively since Echteld took charge in January 2024 and can supply numbers up front to stretch the game.
- So we see the potential for both goal-scorers to get on the scoresheet in a home victory that could well see both teams score and the Over 2.5 goals to come in.
