Our prediction for this Netherlands Eredivisie match:
AZ
Match Time & Date:
17/12/2023
20:00
Prediction: 1-1
PSV
All eyes will be on AFAS Stadion when PSV and AZ Alkmaar square off against each other in the Eredivisie derby. PSV are on an unbelievable 15-game winning run in the 2023/2024 campaign and, no doubt, they are eager to keep their 100% record intact. Both Hirving Lozano and Jerdy Schouten are sidelined with injuries, while summer recruit Noa Lang remains doubtful.
The Cheese Farmers, on the other hand, outplayed Almere City 4-1 in their last league match to stay in the Champions League berth. AZ aim to give fans yet another reason to celebrate and given their fine home record, we believe that the time has come for PSV to drop some points. Taking everything into account, the share of spoils is on the horizon. Both Matthew Ryan and Sven Mijnans are out of contention with injuries, while defender Mees de Wit is a major doubt and he will be assessed ahead of the kick-off.
Highlighted Player (Luuk de Jong):
The 26-year-old Dutch striker Luuk de Jong is considered one of Europe’s deadliest strikers with his incredible return of goals in games he spends playing. Luuk de Jong began his football career at De Graafschap in 2008, but moved on to Twente only a year later.
The tally of 39 goals in 76 league appearances earned him a transfer to Borussia Monchengladbach, but his spell in Germany ended in disappointment. Bundesliga club attempted to revive his career by sending him out on loan to Newcastle United but his stint with the English club yielded even more disappointment and concluded in utter disaster with De Jong playing 12 games without scoring a single goal for the Magpies.
A return to Netherlands and PSV Eindhoven turned out to be a proper hit for the 26-year-old striker who has restored his scoring touch with more than 50 goals for the Boeren after less than 90 games.
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.
