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

The home side will be looking to claim all three points here having had to settle for a point last time out while the visitors seek consecutive league wins following their opening-day triumph.

Match preview

AZ Alkmaar claimed a resounding 7-0 victory over Dundee United in the second leg of their Europa Conference League qualifying tie at the AFAS Stadion on Thursday.

Two goals apiece from Vangelis Pavlidis and Tijjani Reijnders put Pascal Jansen's men in the driving seat before further strikes from Hakon Evjen, Dani de Wit and Mayckel Lahdo added more gloss to the scoreline.

Prior to that, the Cheeseheads saw off the threat of Go Ahead Eagles in a routine 2-0 victory to kick off their league campaign on a high.

Coming up next is the challenge of an opposing side who have only come out on top in two of the 31 previous encounters between the teams.

Having failed to win any of their most recent eight competitive outings away from home, Sunday's visitors will be keen to turn their fortunes around on the road.

Sparta Rotterdam got the current Eredivisie season underway with a goalless stalemate against Heerenveen at the Abe Lenstra Stadion on Friday evening.

Maurice Steijn's men enjoyed the slight majority of the ball possession on the day, but they were unable to convert it to anything meaningful.

De Kasteelheren, who are now unbeaten in each of their last five league outings dating back to last season, currently sit 12th in the standings.

With just one defeat in their most recent seven home matches, Sunday's hosts will be confident of securing another positive result in their own turf.

Sparta Rotterdam Eredivisie form:

Sparta Rotterdam form (all competitions):

AZ Alkmaar Eredivisie form:

AZ Alkmaar form (all competitions):

Team News

Vito van Crooy was on target for Sparta Rotterdam in the most recent encounter against this weekend's opponents, and he will be looking to deliver the goods once again.

Adil Auassar remains sidelined for the home side through a muscle injury, while Laurent Jans also misses out due to a hamstring problem.

Once again, AZ Alkmaar are set to be without the services of Jesper Karlsson, who is set to miss an 11th game on the bounce with a muscle injury.

Jens Odgaard and Zinho Vanheusden are also guaranteed absentees for Sunday's game as they continue to nurse knee injuries.

Sparta Rotterdam possible starting lineup:

Olij; Pinto, Eerdhuijzen, Vriends, Abels; De Guzman, Verschueren; Van Crooy, Namli, Eyenga-Lokilo; Lauritsen

AZ Alkmaar possible starting lineup:

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

We say: Sparta Rotterdam 1-2 AZ Alkmaar

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