AZ Alkmaar will hos Go Ahead Eagles in their opening game of the Eredivisie. The goal of the home team, who finished fourth last season, is to once again be a contender for a spot in the European competition, while the goal of the visitors, who placed 11th in the 2022–23 season, is to firmly establish themselves as an Eredivisie team.
Preview (Preview: AZ vs Go Ahead Eagles)
The Kaaskoppen have already played their first competitive encounter. They had a very strong preseason that saw them win four and draw two of their friendly games. In the first Conference League qualifying game against FC Santa Coloma, they narrowly came out on top. Although Pascal Jansen’s team entered the game as overwhelming favorites. They did not play well against the Andorran team. They managed just one shot on goal throughout the entire game.
Alkmaar, however, holds a slim lead going into the home leg next Thursday thanks to Djordje Mihailovic’s late goal. It proved to be the difference between the two sides. However, the Kaaskoppen begin their Eredivisie campaign this Sunday at home against a team they have a strong recent record against. In the last eight encounters between the two teams, the Kaaskoppen have won seven and drawn one. In fact, Go Ahead Eagles frequently struggle against Alkmaar, and they had a difficult time on the road last season, earning just 13 points from their 17 Eredivisie games.
Rene Hake, the team’s manager, will thus be well aware of the severity of the task that lies ahead. His team did not have the ideal preseason, winning only two of their friendlies while losing the other three. Most recently, they suffered a 2-0 loss against the Borussia Dortmund reserves at home. Since returning to the Eredivisie, Go Ahead Eagles have improved year over year. This season, they have a chance to advance further. They only finished six points outside of the European spots in 2022–23. The striker, who accumulated more Eredivisie goal contributions than any other player in the squad, joined FC Utrecht.
Team News
Bruno Martins Indi, a center-back for AZ Alkmaar, is expected to miss the game due to a hip injury. Pantelis Chatzidiakos and Riechedly Bazoer should start in his place. AZ Alkmaar is also questionable for other injuries leading into the game. As a result of Sam Westerveld’s continued absence due to a knee injury, Mat Ryan, who started against FC Santa Coloma on Thursday night, is expected to maintain his position in the net. With 30 goals in his last two Eredivisie seasons, Vangelis Pavlidis is Alkmaar’s main threat. In a 4-3-3 formation, Mayckel Lahdo and Jesper Karlsson will help him from the flanks.
Since Evert Linthorst, the goalkeeper for Go Ahead Eagles, is still injured and unable to play, Jeffrey de Lange, who started every league game last year, should take the field. Finn Stokers, a striker, is also absent, and Rashaan Fernandes is set to start at the front of the line for Hake’s team now that Lidberg has left for Utrecht. AZ Alkmaar outscored Go Ahead Eagles by 27 points last season, and they have a very strong recent record against them, having won the last five straight games. As a result, we anticipate Jansen’s team to win easily on Sunday afternoon, giving them the ideal start to their Eredivisie season.
AZ Alkmaar 2 – 0 Go Ahead Eagles
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