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

Meanwhile, the visitors are searching for their fifth consecutive away victory as they continue to chase Feyenoord at the top of the Eredivisie.

Match preview

Despite dominating proceedings against RKC Waalwijk, Heerenveen failed to find a breakthrough despite enjoying the majority of possession and having 18 shots, nine of which were on target.

However, Kees van Wonderen's side were able to make amends in midweek, dispatching FC Volendam 2-0 in the second round of the KNVB-Beker courtesy of strikes from Pelle van Amersfoort and Sydney van Hooijdonk.

With 24 points from 15 outings so far, De Superfriezen are eighth in the Eredivisie table, one point behind FC Utrecht in the race for the last European spot.

Heerenveen were able to record back-to-back victories against SBV Excelsior and Cambuur before the break for the World Cup, and despite the disappointment of the stalemate against RKC, they will be aiming to build on those performances in front of their own fans this weekend.

However, that is easier said than done as they face an AZ Alkmaar side who have the best away record in the division, winning six of the eight matches they have played on the road.

Meanwhile, AZ Alkmaar eased past the threat of Excelsior in their KNVB-Beker second-round clash last time out, enjoying a resounding 4-1 victory in Wednesday's encounter.

Jens Odgaard broke the deadlock 13 minutes in, before Dani de Wit and Jesper Karlsson gave Pascal Jansen's side a three-goal cushion before the interval. Vangelis Pavlidis's strike 11 minutes from time ensured AZ's name was in the hat for the next round.

Since AZ Alkmaar's impressive victory away at PSV Eindhoven on November 12 before the break for the World Cup, the Cheeseheads have managed to beat Valencia and Atalanta away from home in club friendlies, before returning to league proceedings last weekend with a 1-1 draw against Vitesse.

Victory on Saturday would give Jansen's men a fifth consecutive victory away from home, which is not surprising given the fact that AZ have the best away record in the Eredivisie, amassing 18 points from a possible 24 on their travels this season.

The Cheeseheads remain in fifth place in the table on 30 points, and victory here could see them move into second spot, providing other results go their way.

Heerenveen Eredivisie form:

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W

L

W

W

D

AZ Alkmaar Eredivisie form:

L

L

W

L

W

D

AZ Alkmaar form (all competitions):

W

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W

D

Team News

Heerenveen's Sven van Beek is a major doubt for this one as he continues to recover from an Achilles tendon injury.

Pelle van Amersfoort's first competitive start for De Superfriezen resulted in him getting on the scoresheet against Volendam, so it seems likely he will keep his place in the starting XI here.

Zinho Vanheusden remains sidelined for the visitors with a broken foot which is set to keep the defender out of contention for Saturday's clash.

Bruno Martins Indi is also unavailable, with the Netherlands international still on the treatment table due to a long-term muscle problem.

Heerenveen possible starting lineup:

Noppert; Kohlert, Bochniewicz, Van Aken, Van Ewijk; Tahiri, Haye; Olsson, Van Amersfoort, Sarr; Van Hooijdonk

AZ Alkmaar possible starting lineup:

Verhulst; Kerkez, Bazoer, Chatzidiakos, Sugawara; Clasie, Reijnders; Karlsson, De Wit, Odgaard; Pavlidis

We say: Heerenveen 0-2 AZ Alkmaar

AZ Alkmaar's away record speaks for itself, so it is difficult to imagine that they will not get a positive result here.

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