Our prediction for this Netherlands Eredivisie match:
Excelsior
Match Time & Date:
04/11/2023
18:45
Prediction: 1-2
AZ
AZ Alkmaar will look to extend their winning run in the Eredivisie to four games when they take on Excelsior on Matchday 11. The Cheese Farmers were on the verge of suffering a loss to NEC at the weekend when Nijmegen striker Bas Dost collapsed on the pitch and, no doubt, they need to improve their game if they are to pick up all three points from Saturday’s clash. All Mees de Wit, Mexx Meerdink, and Lewis Schouten are major doubts, while experienced defender Bruno Martins Indi is pushing for a rare start.
The Rotterdammers, on the other hand, suffered a dip in form, with the team losing to both Zwolle (2-4) and Volendam (1-3) in the previous two league matches and given their shaky defence, we believe that there is a big value in betting on the visiting side. There are no fresh injury concerns for the home team ahead of the visit of AZ.
Highlighted Player (Bruno Martins Indi):
Bruno Martins Indi was born in Portugal, but his family quickly moved to Rotterdam, where he joined Feyenoord’s youth set-up in 2005. Netherlands international has made his professional debut in 2010 with Feyenoord, where he spent four years as mainstay before a move to FC Porto on the back of impressive display at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Bruno Martins Indi spent most of his career playing as centre-back, but he can equally fill in on various positions in defence. Bruno Martins Indi had been deemed a victim to the extreme recolution in Porto’s central defensive department, having fallen out of favour with Nuno Espirito Santo and even being punished with a place in Porto’s reserves.
During the summer transfer window the 24-year-old defender insisted on a move away from the club with Premier League being his preferred destination. On the final day of the transfer marked Bruno Martins Indi has been set to Stoke City on a season long loan.
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.
Man City 
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Crystal Palace 
Chelsea 
Fulham
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Nottingham Forest 
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