📊 Form Guide

AZ

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AZ prepare for this game following a 1-1 Europa League drawn game against Galatasaray.

In that game, AZ managed 41% possession and 12 shots on goal with 5 on target. The scorer for AZ was Sven Mijnans (2'). On the other side, Galatasaray got 19 attempts on goal with 5 on target. Victor Osimhen (43') was the scorer for Galatasaray.

Fixtures featuring AZ have often been absorbing encounters of late with plenty of scoring anticipated. Over their past six clashes alone, a grand total of 20 goals have been recorded for both teams combined (at an average of 3.33 goals per game) with 11 of these accredited to AZ. We will find out whether or not that trend will be sustained into this next match.

Pre-game facts show that AZ:

• haven't won against Heracles Almelo in their last 2 league matches.
• have not won at home in their last 4 matches in the league. Things will have to change soon.

Heracles Almelo

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In their last game, Heracles Almelo drew 2-2 in the Eredivisie match with RKC Waalwijk.

In that game, Heracles Almelo had 64% possession and 18 shots at goal with 5 of them on target. For Heracles Almelo, the goals were scored by Luka Kulenović (29') and Jizz Hornkamp (80'). RKC Waalwijk got 14 attempts on goal with 5 of them on target. Richard van der Venne (57') and Oskar Zawada (94') scored for RKC Waalwijk.

Indicating their partiality to eventful encounters, we’ve seen goals 20 times in the last six matches in which Heracles Almelo have taken to the pitch, making it a mean average of 3.33 goals per clash. Opposing teams have got 12 of those goals.

Coming into this fixture, Heracles Almelo are without a win away from home in their last 3 matches in the league.

🤜🤛 Head to head

Inspecting their past head-to-head clashes dating back to 16/05/2021 tells us that AZ have won 3 of them and Heracles Almelo 2, with the tally of draws being 1.

There were also plenty of goals scored in those games, 25 overall at an average of 4.17 goals per meeting.

The previous league game between these sides was Eredivisie match day 42 on 03/04/2024 when it ended Heracles Almelo 5-0 AZ.

In that match, Heracles Almelo had 35% possession and 21 shots at goal with 9 on target. The goals were scored by Brian De Keersmaecker (19'), Jizz Hornkamp (38', 40') and Mohamed Sankoh (90', 94').

AZ had 17 shots on goal with 4 on target.

The referee was Allard Lindhout.

ℹ️ Team News: AZ

Kristijan Belic (unknown injury), Lewis Schouten (unknown injury), Ibrahim Sadiq (unknown injury), Sem Westerveld (Meniscus injury), Jordy Clasie (Back injury), Zico Buurmeester (unknown injury), Bruno Martins Indi (Muscle injury) and Lequincio Zeefuik (unknown injury) are not available for AZ gaffer Maarten Martens.

In our view, AZ look set to opt for a 4-3-3 system for the game with Jeroen Zoet, Denso Kasius, Alexandre Penetra, Wouter Goes, Mees de Wit, Peer Koopmeiners, Sven Mijnans, Dave Kwakman, Ernest Poku, Troy Parrott and Ruben van Bommel.

🗞️ Team News: Heracles Almelo

Heracles Almelo manager Erwin van de Looi has to choose from a squad that has some fitness concerns. Stijn Bultman (Meniscus injury), Nikolai Laursen (Cruciate ligament tear) and Sem Scheperman (Knee injury) will miss out on this game.

There’s a good chance that Heraclieden might utilise a 4-2-3-1 lineup, choosing Fabian de Keijzer, Mimeirhel Benita, Damon Mirani, Ivan Mesik, Ruben Roosken, Daniel van Kaam, Jan Zamburek, Suf Podgoreanu, Shiloh Zand, Mario Engels and Luka Kulenovic.

🧠 Prediction

It’s pretty clear that Heracles Almelo will be up against it to find the back of the net against a AZ side who should be able to control this match over the entire pitch.

We can see a 3-0 winning margin for AZ when the full-time whistle blows.

Our expert partners are tipping under 3.5 goals for this match. Check out their VIP predictions here.

Peter Guest, 13:02 01/12/2024