Our prediction for this Netherlands Eredivisie match:
Heracles and AZ Alkmaar face each other at Asito Stadium in what is expected to be one of the most exciting games of Wednesday’s program. Erwin van de Looi’s troops aim to make amends for a 1-0 loss to Twente, but they face yet another tough challenge against the Cheese Farmers. All Stijn Bultman, Jannes Wieckhoff, and Sava Cestic remain in the recovery room, while there are no fresh injury worries in the home team.
AZ, on the other hand, are on a three-game winning run in the national championship. Maarten Martens’ troops aim to keep their Champions League hopes alive and given Heracles’ anything but good form in the Dutch top flight, away win should be considered. Talented forward Myron van Brederode is pushing for a start after producing a fine display in a 2-0 win over Vitesse, while AZ midfielder Lequincio Zeefuik is a major doubt.
Highlighted Player (Riechedly Bazoer):
Despite playing for PSV during his youth career, Riechedly Bazoer made his Eredivisie debut with Ajax. The central midfielder who was born on 12 October, 1996 in Utrecht, scored his first goal for Ajax on 15 February, 2015 in a 4-2 victory over Twente.
Four days later he made his European debut with the Amsterdammers, taking part in a 1-0 win over Legia in the Europa League. Bazoer scored five goals in 29 league appearances for Ajax in the 2015/2016 season, but he failed to win the domestic trophy with Frank de Boer’s troops.
Speaking of his international career, Bazoer has two caps for Netherlands U21 team and he made his debut for the first team on 13 November, 2015 against Wales. It has to be noted that he came as a late substitute in the 3-2 victory over the Dragons. Back in 2012 the right-footed midfielder won the UEFA U17 European Championship with the Dutch national team.
Highlighted Team (Heracles):
Heracles is a professional Dutch club based in Almelo. The club was formed back in May 1903 and named after Heracles, the demigod son of Zeus. From 1974 to 1998 the club played under the name of SC Heracles ’74. The Heraclieden’s home colours are black and white, while blue is the dominant colour of their away shirt.
Twente are considered one of the club’s main rivals in the Netherlands. Speaking of the club’s achievements, it has to be noted that Heracles have won two Eredivisie trophies (1926/27, 1940/41). In the 2011/12 season they made it to the Dutch Cup final. Heracles faced PSV in the title game, with the Dutch giants proving to be a big catch for the underdogs.
PSV won the game 3-0. In the 2016/17 season Heracles participated in the Europa League, with the team suffering elimination to Arouca in the third qualifying round. Everton is leading the club’s all-time goal-scoring chart with 77 goals.