Our prediction for this Netherlands Eredivisie match:
AZ Alkmaar will be aiming to overcome a one-goal deficit in the tie with Vitesse when the two teams face each other at AFAS Stadion in the Conference League playoffs final, return leg. AZ failed to turn their dominance into more goals in the first leg, but they are still seen as favourites to represent the Netherlands in the Conference League next term.
Since Pascal Jansen’s men have turned their AFAS Stadion into a real fortress, home win should be considered. Keep in mind, though, that midfielder Fredrik Midtsjo limped off with injury in the 2-1 loss to Vitesse. The Vitas, on the other hand, produce much better showings at home than on the travels, which is probably the main reason why we are going to put our money on AZ. All Gboho, Oroz, Rasmussen, and Wittek should miss out with injuries for the visiting side.
Highlighted Player (Jordy Clasie):
Jordy Clasie is a product of the Feyenoord youth academy who plays for AZ Alkmaar as a midfielder. His main position is defensive midfield, but he is capable of producing fine displays as both central midfielder and centre-back as well.
Clasie played for the likes of Feyenoord, Excelsior (loan), Southampton, and Club Brugge (loan) before returning to Rotterdam. After ending his second spell with Feyenoord, the Dutch footballer joined AZ Alkmaar in the summer of 2019. He made his AZ debut in the Eredivisie on August 4, 2019 in a 4-0 win over Fortuna Sittard.
Jordie Clasie has 12 caps with the Netherlands U21 team, and he made his senior debut in a 1-1 draw with Italy on February 6, 2013. Thanks to his elegant style of play, Clasie has earned the nickname of “Dutch Xavi”. The AZ Alkmaar midfielder was born in Haarlem, Netherlands on June 27, 1991.
Highlighted Team (Vitesse):
Nicknamed Vitas, the proud of Gelderland, Vitesse are a Dutch football club based in Arnhem. Vitesse compete in the Dutch Eredivisie and they have yet to win the national championship. However, they finished as runners-up in the Dutch elite division on five occasions (1897–98, 1902–03, 1912–13, 1913–14, 1914–15), while clinching third place in the standings in the 1997/1998 season.
Vitesse did remarkably well to win the 2016/2017 Dutch Cup title, with the team beating AZ Alkmaar in the final at De Kuip in Rotterdam. As a result, the Vitas booked their place in the Europa League group stages where they face the likes of Lazio, Nice and Zulte-Waregem.
Vitesse are well known for their yellow jerseys with black stripes, while the club’s away colour is black. GelreDome is the home ground of the Dutch team and the capacity of the venue is 21.248. It has to be noted that famous Spanish footballer Albert Ferrer was in charge of the club in the 2010/2011 season.