Preview: AZ Alkmaar vs. NEC - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors, meanwhile, are aiming to claim another positive result after collecting four points from their last two matches.

Match preview

AZ Alkmaar have enjoyed a promising start to the 2022-23 season after successfully negotiating three Europa Conference League qualifying ties to reach the group stage, while collecting maximum points from their three league games.

After beginning their Eredivisie campaign with a 2-0 home victory over Go Ahead Eagles, Pascal Jansen's side beat Sparta Rotterdam 3-2 in their first away league game of the season.

They looked set to miss out on another victory at the weekend against Cambuur with the contest heading towards a goalless draw, but Jordy Clasie snatched all three points with a winner in the 90th minute.

Having played one game less than league leaders Ajax, Thursday's hosts can move level on points with the defending champions if they can beat NEC.

AZ Alkmaar will be confident they can clinch a seventh consecutive victory in all competitions after winning all four of their competitive home matches this season by a combined 14-0 scoreline.

While NEC have not been able to match their opponents' points tally, they will be content with their start to the season after collecting four points from their opening three games.

The campaign began with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Twente, but NEC bounced back on matchday two, thrashing Volendam 4-1 despite falling behind in the 11th minute.

They looked set to follow their first win of the season with a defeat on Friday after Laros Duarte gave Groningen the lead in the 75th minute, but a late Ibrahim Cissoko effort helped the hosts snatch a point.

NEC currently sit in ninth position after avoiding defeat in their last two matches, but they have their work cut out to claim a positive result against an in-form AZ Alkmaar side.

The visitors can at least draw inspiration from the point they took off of Thursday's opponents in the away meeting between the two sides last season.

AZ Alkmaar Eredivisie form:

AZ Alkmaar form (all competitions):

NEC Eredivisie form:

Team News

AZ Alkmaar have no reported fresh injury concerns, although they are doubtful over the fitness of Jesper Karlsson and Riechedly Bazoer.

After claiming a narrow victory over SC Cambuur, the hosts could decide to name an unchanged lineup for Thursday's contest.

Vangelis Pavlidis has scored two goals this season, and the forward will look to add to his tally when he leads the line against NEC.

As for the visitors, Magnus Mattsson and Mathias De Wolf could miss out due to knee and hamstring injuries respectively.

Pedro Marques is set to come into starting lineup to feature up front, which is likely to result in Jordy Bruijn dropping out of the side.

Despite coming on as a substitute to score a late equaliser against Groningen, Cissoko may have to settle for a place on the bench once again.

AZ Alkmaar possible starting lineup:

Verhulst; Chatzidiakos, Beukema, Martins Indi, Kerkez; Clasie, Reijnders; Evjen,D. De Wit, Van Brederode; Pavlidis

NEC possible starting lineup:

Cillessen; Van Rooij, Marquez, Kramer, El Karouani, Proper; Tavsan, Tannane, Duelund; Marques

We say: AZ Alkmaar 3-1 NEC

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