AZvs.Heracles

Match preview

Off the back of a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Willem II just before the international break, AZ Alkmaar secured a much-needed return to winning ways by getting the better of Sparta Rotterdam in Sunday's meeting at the Sparta Stadion Het Kasteel.

Maarten Martens's men opened the scoring early on through Peer Koopmeiners but were soon pegged back by Tobias Lauritsen, after which Sven Mijnans grabbed the all-important winner just over 15 minutes from the end of normal time.

Another fast start saw the Cheeseheads break the deadlock in their Europa League clash against Galatasaray on Thursday thanks to Sven Mijnans's second-minute strike, although they did eventually have to settle for a 1-1 draw following Victor Osimhen's equaliser.

With just two wins picked up from their last 11 matches across all competitions, AZ's torrid run of results has left them well off the pace on the domestic and continental front as they sit sixth in the Eredivisie table, while their Europa League knockout hopes currently hang in the balance.

In the second of three home matches on the bounce, Sunday's hosts will now set out to get themselves back to winning ways in front of their fans before a mouth-watering clash against Ajax seven days later.

Heracles were involved in a share of the spoils for the first time since mid-September following a 2-2 thrilling stalemate against RKC Waalwijk in Saturday's meeting between the teams at the Asito Stadium.

Erwin van de Looi's men men led 1-0 and 2-1 through Luka Kulenovic and Jizz Hornkamp but were pegged back on either occasion by Richard van der Venne and Oskar Zawada to force a share of the spoils in Almelo.

Since their narrow 1-0 triumph over Winterswijk in the KNVB Beker to close out October on a winning note, the Heraclieden have split their three league matches into a win, a draw and a defeat apiece to leave them 13th in the standings with 13 points amassed from as many matches.

Ahead of a tough run of matches that sees them visit AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord either side of a clash against Fortuna Sittard, Heracles will need to get their act together to avoid dropping into the relegation zone before the year runs out.

Having conceded more goals than any other team outside the bottom two, Sunday's visitors have some tightening up to do defensively if they are to turn things around with just over a third of the campaign played already.

AZ Alkmaar Eredivisie form:

L

L

D

L

L

W

AZ Alkmaar form (all competitions):

D

L

W

L

W

D

Heracles Eredivisie form:

L

L

L

W

L

D

Team News

While Bruno Martins Indi has recovered from a muscle problem, Ibrahim Sadiq remains unavailable for AZ through the same concern, as Lewis Schouten also misses out.

Dutch goalkeeper Sem Westerveld remains unavailable for selection on Sunday with a long-term knee injury and is ruled out this one alongside Kristijan Belic.

Twenty-four-year-old Sven Mijnans will be aiming to find the back of the net for a third consecutive game for the home side, highlighting his current importance for the home side.

Nikolai Laursen will not play any part for Heracles here as he continues his spell on the sidelines by a knee problem and continues to nurse knee injuries, with the latter yet to appear since early January.

Twenty-three-year-old Sava-Arangel Cestic will also miss Sunday's clash through a long-term ankle problem and is joined on the hosts' treatment table by Stijn Bultman.

AZ Alkmaar possible starting lineup:

Zoe; Penetra, Wolfe, Goes, Kasius; Kwakman, Koopmeiners; Meerdink, Mijnans, Smit; Parrott

Heracles possible starting lineup:

De Keijzer; Benita, Mirani, Meski, Roosken; Van der Venne, Roemeratoe, Van de Loo; Margaret, Zawada

We say: AZ Alkmaar 2-1 Heracles

With both teams conceding goals at will of late, we are expecting an entertaining clash between two teams who should fancy their chances of claiming all three points.

We can also see AZ fending off their visitors to come out on top at the end of the 90 minutes.

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