Eredivisie early season high-flyers AZ Alkmaar and FC Utrecht will put their unbeaten league records on the line when they face off at AFAS Stadion on Sunday evening.
Both these sides have made very impressive starts to the 2024-25 season, with the hosts currently in second place in the standings, while the visitors are hot on their heels in third.
Match preview
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After failing to break into the top three in each of the last three seasons, AZ Alkmaar look in good nick this term and could take top spot in the league standings this weekend if they win here and PSV falter away to Willem II.
Barring an unexpected goalless draw to Groningen in week three, De Kaasboeren have been flawless, winning all of the other five league games they have played, while also kicking off their Europa League campaign with a 3-2 win over Elfsborg.
Troy Parrott's penalty against the Swedish outfit proved to be the decisive goal in midweek, and that took his tally this season to five, adding to the four goals he netted in their 9-1 demolition of Heerenveen a couple of weeks ago.
One of the most impressive parts of AZ's performances over the first six games of the season has been their attacking output, with the side already notching up 19 goals in all competitions, including two or more in each of their last four.
However, for all their good work going forward, Maarten Martens's side have also been solid in defence, conceding just two league goals so far, which is the fewest of any team in the division.
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Meanwhile, Utrecht have arguably been the most improved team in the top flight this season, still unbeaten and trailing their upcoming opponents by only three points, while also having a game in hand on the sides around them.
Last time out, Domstedelingen did receive a fair slice of luck, though, picking up a 3-2 win over Willem II courtesy of two own goals by Raffael Behounek and Runar Sigurgeirsson either side of a penalty from Noah Ohio.
That match also added to the one concern that Ron Jans will likely be looking to address, which is his side's tendency to start matches poorly, as they have conceded early goals in each of their last three games in a row.
The last time these two met, we were treated to a six-goal thriller that ended level at 3-3, but that result also extended Utrecht's winless run against this opponent to six in a row, including four draws and two defeats dating back to January 2021.
Team News
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After only featuring in AZ's first game of the season where he picked up a hamstring injury, Bruno Martins Indi is reportedly closing in on a return to action, though he is still flagged as a doubt for this weekend.
The only other known injury absentees for the hosts this week are Sem Westerveld, who has not featured since sustaining a knee injury in preseason, and Lewis Schouten, who has now missed seven games with a muscle strain.
For Utrecht, former Manchester United midfielder Zidane Iqbal picked up a knock while on international duty with Iraq against Kuwait and is unlikely to make the matchday squad for this trip to Alkmaar.
Joining Iqbal on the sidelines this week are defender Niklas Vesterlund and backup goalkeeper Kevin Gadellaa, both of whom are facing lengthy spells out of action owing to serious knee injuries.
AZ Alkmaar possible starting lineup:
Owusu-Oduro; Maikuma, Goes, Penetra, Wolfe; Clasie, Koopmeiners; Van Bommel, Mijnans, Sadiq; Parrott
FC Utrecht possible starting lineup:
Barkas; Horemans, Viergever, Van der Hoorn, El Karouani; Engwanda, Bozdogan; Romeny, Toornstra, Cathline; Ohio
We say: AZ Alkmaar 2-1 FC Utrecht
Matches between these two in recent times have delivered goals, with 21 hitting the back of the net in the last four encounters alone, and given how they have started this season, we are expecting a few more this weekend.
However, with 10 goals scored and having not conceded in their two home games this season, we are just about leaning toward AZ to edge the result in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Devesh Jaganath
