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

Having picked up maximum points from their opening two games of the 2021-22 Eredivisie season, Heerenveen welcome AZ Alkmaar to the Abe Lenstra Stadion on Sunday.

On the other hand, the visitors go in search of their first point of the campaign following a shock opening-day defeat to Waalwijk a fortnight ago.

Match preview

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AZ Alkmaar had their second league fixture - a clash against Fortuna Sittard initially scheduled for August 22 - postponed in order to give them ample time to prepare for their Europa League qualifier against Celtic.

Despite claiming a 2-1 win in Thursday's second leg, Pascal Jansen's men were unable to get the better of their Scottish opponents on aggregate following a 2-0 defeat in the first leg.

The Cheeseheads, who will now feature in the inaugural edition of the Conference League, have been drawn alongside CFR Cluj, Jablonec and Randers.

Back home, AZ prepare to take on a familiar foe who they have defeated in seven of the last nine meetings, including both of last season's clashes.

With only Ajax possessing a better away record in the last 12 months, Saturday's visitors will be confident of getting their league campaign up and running on the road.

Following a season-opening win over Go Ahead Eagles, Heerenveen survived a comeback scare to claim a 3-2 triumph over RKC Waalwijk on Saturday.

Johnny Jansen's men romped to a three-goal lead inside the opening 45 minutes courtesy of Henk Veerman's brace either side of a Tibor Halilovic strike, before second-half goals from Jens Odgaard and Richard van der Venne set up a frenetic final five minutes.

De Superfriezen are third on the log heading into this weekend's game, level on points with early frontrunners Feyenoord and PSV Eindhoven.

While it is still early days, things are looking up for Saturday's visitors, who have a point to prove this term following their worst league finish in five years last time out.

Team News

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Owen Wijndal has missed all of AZ's fixtures this term due to a groin injury, and the 21-year-old is not expected to return in time for Sunday's contest.

Thijs Oosting, who has been the biggest beneficiary of Wijndal's absence, is set to come back into the starting XI for this one after he was named as a substitute in Thursday's European encounter.

Polish defender Pawel Bochniewicz is ruled out with a knee problem which he picked up in Heerenveen's pre-season friendly versus Zwolle.

In his first full season at the club, TIbor Halilovic has been the hosts' go-to man so far, scoring in each of his side's two outings this term and he will be looking to deliver the goods once again.

Heerenveen possible starting lineup:
Mulder; Kaib, Dresevic, Van Beek, Van Ewijk; J.Veerman, Halilovic, Kongolo; De Jong, H.Veerman, Stevanovic

AZ Alkmaar possible starting lineup:
Verhulst; Oosting, Martins Indi, Letschert, Sugawara; Midtsjo, Koopmeiners, De Wit; Aboukhlal, Pavlidis, Gudmundsson

We say: Heerenveen 1-2 AZ Alkmaar

Heerenveen's perfect start to the season will give them enough reason to believe that they can come out on top in this one, while AZ boast the superior squad on paper.

We expect a close and enthralling contest with the visitors just edging it by the odd goal at the end of the 90 minutes.