Our prediction for this Netherlands Eredivisie match:
AZ
Match Time & Date:
10/03/2024
12:15
Prediction: 3-1
Excelsior
AZ Alkmaar will be aiming to keep their Champions League hopes alive when they take on Excelsior in Sunday’s matinee. Maarten Martens’ troops are likely to go all guns blazing at the Rotterdammers, but they will have to prove their worth on the field. Riechedly Bazoer is back from suspension, while fellow midfielder Jordy Clasie misses out through suspension.
The Kralingers, on the other hand, are on a five-game losing run in the Dutch top flight and given their poor defensive display in a 5-2 loss to Fortuna Sittard, anything but a routine home win would be a big surprise. To make things even more complicated for the relegation-threatened visitors, defender Arthur Zagre is banned for the match. As for the visiting team, both Serano Seymor and Kik Pierie are out of contention with injuries, whereas Raphael Eyongo faces race against the clock to be fit for Sunday’s showdown.
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.
Inter 
Como
Man City 
Everton
Bournemouth
Crystal Palace 
Chelsea 
Fulham
Newcastle 
Aston Villa 
Nottingham Forest 
Tottenham
