Our prediction for this Netherlands Eredivisie match:
AZ Alkmaar will be aiming to build on a 2-1 win over Volendam when they take on RKC in the Eredivisie round 13. AZ have a chance to climb to second position as Ajax and PSV go head to head in de Klassieker this weekend, and we are positive that the visitors will go all guns blazing at RKC. Midfielder Dani de Wit is banned for the match, while both Bruno Martins Indi and Hakon Evjen are rated doubtful for the match.
Joseph Oosting’s men, on the other hand, aim to make amends for back-to-back losses to Ajax and Twente, but given their shaky defence, we predict that AZ Alkmaar will emerge triumphant in Sunday’s clash. Joseph Oosting should have a full squad to choose from for this match, but that is unlikely to help the hosts avoid defeat to AZ.
Highlighted Player (Vurnon Anita):
Vurnon Anita is yet another product of famous Ajax youth football academy. The defensive midfielder made a great progress during his spell with the Eredivisie outfit as he played for the first team from 2006 to 2012. During the 2011/2012 season Anita was on Newcastle United’s radar, but Ajax chiefs rejected Newcastle’s first bid for the player.
Nonetheless, the two clubs eventually came to an agreement and the Dutch footballer moved to St. James’ Park in the summer of 2012. Vurnon Anita signed for the Magpies for a fee of £6.7 million and he made his Newcastle debut on August 18, 2012 in a 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the opening game of the season.
After making 133 appearances in the league for the Magpies, Anita joined Leeds United on July 6, 2017, signing a three-year deal with the Championship club. Vurnon Anita made his debut for Netherlands in a 2-1 win over Mexico in May, 2010. His main position is defensive midfield, but he can play as a full-back as well.
Highlighted Team (AZ):
AZ Alkmaar are a professional football club that play their home matches at AFAS Stadion. The venue was opened on 4 August, 2006 and the construction of the stadium cost €38 million. AFAS Stadion is able to hold 17 023 spectators.
The Cheeseheads were founded on 10 May, 1967 and they won their first trophy in 1981, finishing the season 12 points clear of Dutch giants Ajax. 18 years later AZ clinched their second Eredivisie trophy, with the team finishing the 2008/2009 campaign with 80 points, 11 clear of second-placed Twente. In 1981 the club made it to the UEFA Cup final, but English side Ipswich Town proved to be a big catch for the Dutch team.
AZ’s home kits are red and white and they wear black shirts when playing on the road. The likes of Shota Arveladze, Jozy Altidore, Ron Vlaar, Joris Mathijsen, Graziano Pelle, Simon Poulsen, Moussa Dembele and Sergio Romero are notable footballers who played for AZ in the past.