Preview: Go Ahead Eagles vs. AZ Alkmaar - prediction, team news, lineups

A 2-2 draw against FC Utrecht took Go Ahead Eagles into 10th place in the Eredivisie table, while AZ Alkmaar continued on their quest for the Eredivisie title after securing a 3-1 victory over Fortuna Sittard.

Match preview

Go Ahead Eagles come into this fixture in strong form as they are undefeated in their previous 11 Eredivisie games, after losing the opening five games of the season.

In their previous fixture, Sylla Sow came off the bench to keep their unbeaten record intact, as he scored a last-minute equaliser to secure his side a vital point against FC Utrecht.

However, despite a run of 11 games undefeated, the draw against FC Utrecht was Go Ahead Eagles' seventh draw of the season and leaves them with only four victories in the Eredivisie this season.

With AZ Alkmaar heading to town, Go Ahead Eagles will be up against the history books if they are to retain their unbeaten streak, as it has been almost 10 years since they last beat their opponents.

Meanwhile, the visitors have bounced back after their disappointing defeat to RKC Waalwijk before the World Cup break, being undefeated since and beating fellow title challengers PSV Eindhoven in the process.

History is on their side in this affair, as AZ Alkmaar have not been defeated by the hosts since 2014 and have beaten Go Ahead Eagles in seven of the last eight games between the two sides.

AZ Alkmaar are also in form in front of goal currently, as Pascal Jansen's side have scored 10 goals in their last four fixtures since the return from the World Cup break.

Danish forward Jens Odgaard could be the difference-maker in this game as he is currently in top form for his side after assisting in his last three games consecutively, while also dispatching six goals this season.

Go Ahead Eagles Eredivisie form:

D

W

D

D

W

D

AZ Alkmaar Eredivisie form:

W

L

W

D

W

W

AZ Alkmaar form (all competitions):

W

L

W

D

W

W

Team News

Go Ahead Eagles are not expected to make any changes to the side that drew against FC Utrecht in their last fixture, but they could make a formation change.

Bobby Adekanye should lead the line alongside Isac Lidberg, while Oliver Edvardsen and Willum Thor Willumsson are expected to play deeper wide roles in a 4-4-2 formation.

Bas Kuipers and Philippe Rommens are both still out with injuries and will not feature in this clash.

AZ Alkmaar are not expected to make changes to the eleven that beat Fortuna Sittard 3-1 on Sunday.

Sam Westerveld and Bruno Martins Indi are both doubted to feature in the squad to face Go Ahead Eagles.

Sam Beukema will not return from his knee injury for this fixture and is expected to return to action in late February.

Go Ahead Eagles possible starting lineup:

De Lange; Amofa, Nauber, Idzes, Deijl; Willumsson, Tekie, Llansana, Edvardsen; Lidberg, Adekanye

AZ Alkmaar possible starting lineup:

Ryan; Sugawara, Chatzidiakos, Vanheusden, Kerkez; Clasie, Reijnders; Odgaard, De Wit, Karlsson; Pavlidis.

We say: Go Ahead Eagles 1-2 AZ Alkmaar

We believe that history will once again repeat itself and that AZ Alkmaar will come out victorious in this matchup. We feel that Go Ahead Eagles will put up significant resistance, however, AZ Alkmaar will be too strong for the hosts and will subsequently end Go Ahead Eagles' 11-game unbeaten streak.

Previews by email