Our prediction for this KNVB Cup match:
AZ
Match Time & Date:
14/01/2025
18:45
Prediction: 1-1
Ajax
AFAS Stadion will be the centre of attention when AZ Alkmaar and Ajax lock horns in the KNVB Beker last 16. The Cheese Farmers are on a four-game winning run at home in all competitions and they did well to hold PSV to a 2-2 at Philips Stadion. Forward Mexx Meerdink is widely expected to return to the starting XI after scoring as a substitute against the title holders, while all Kristijan Belic, Kees Smit, and Sem Westerveld continue to miss out with injuries.
The Amsterdammers, on the other hand, defeated RKC Waalwijk 2-1 in their last league match, but beating AZ Alkmaar on the road is easier said than done. A close encounter is on the cards at AFAS Stadion and we predict that Tuesday’s game will be decided after extra-time or penalties. Both Benjamin Tahirovic and Gaston Avila are sidelined with injuries, while Josip Sutalo should be fit for the Dutch Cup game.
Highlighted Player (Davy Klaassen):
Davy Klaassen is a product of Ajax’s youth academy. He played for the Amsterdammers at youth level from 2004 to 2012 and he made his debut for the senior team against Olympique Lyon in the Champions League group stages. Klaassen was born on 22 February, 1993 in Hilversum, Netherlands and he plays as an attacking midfielder.
He is capable of playing as a secondary striker as well and it has to be noted that the Dutch footballer scored 13 goals in 31 league appearances for Ajax in the 2015/2016 Eredivisie campaign. Klaassen has four caps for Netherlands U21 team and he made his debut for the first team on 5 March, 2014 in a friendly against France.
The Dutch midfielder scored his first goal for the national team against Spain on 31 March, 2015 and, no doubt, that was one of the brightest moments of his career. The Ajax footballer won his third Eredivisie trophy with the Amsterdammers in the 2013/2014 campaign.
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.
