Our prediction for this Netherlands Eredivisie match:
AZ
Match Time & Date:
17/09/2023
16:45
Prediction: 3-1
Sparta Rotterdam
AZ Alkmaar will look to retain top position in the Eredivisie standings when they take on Sparta Rotterdam in the Eredivisie round 5. AZ have been producing fine displays in the new domestic campaign and, as a result, the bookies see them as favourites to beat the Rotterdammers at their AFAS Stadion. As always, a man to watch in the home team will be Greece forward Vangelis Pavlidis, who scored a brace in a 2-0 win over Vitesse before the international break.
Sparta, on the other hand, aim to remain undefeated in the 2023/2024 season and seeing that they are likely to stick to their attacking style of play, we are tempted to put our money on over 2.5 goals. There are no fresh injury worries in the visiting team ahead of the trip to Alkmaar, while midfielder Mike Eerdhuijzen remains doubtful.
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 (Sparta Rotterdam):
Founded back on April 1, 1888, Sparta Rotterdam is considered one of the oldest clubs in the Netherlands. De Kasteelheren (the Castle Lords) welcome their opponents at Het Kasteel, and they have a great rivalry with Feyenoord. Yet another Rotterdam club Excelsior are considered Sparta’s fierce rivals as well.
Sparta Rotterdam wear white shirts with red strips when playing on home soil, while sky blue is the dominant colour of their away kit. De Kasteelheren have won six Eredivisie trophies. Sparta were the dominant force in the Dutch football in the 1910s, with the team winning their last league title in the 1958/59 season.
De Kasteelheren have won three Dutch Cup trophies as well (1957/58, 1961/62, 1965/66). In the 1985/86 season Sparta last participated in the UEFA Cup, with the team beating Hamburger SC in round 1, while suffering elimination to Borussia Monchengladbach in the second round. Sparta’s stadium Het Kasteel can hold up to 11,926 spectators.
Bournemouth
Crystal Palace 
Chelsea 
Fulham
Newcastle 
Aston Villa 
Nottingham Forest 
Tottenham
Southampton 
West Ham 
Wolves 
Manchester United 
