Our prediction for this Netherlands Eredivisie match:
Sittard
Match Time & Date:
16/01/2022
16:45
Prediction: 0-3
AZ
Sunday’s football game at Fortuna Sittard Stadion pits together Fortuna Sittard and AZ Alkmaar, the two teams with entirely different ambitions in the remainder of the season. The hosts are eager to secure the Eredivisie survival, while the visitors are eyeing a place in European competitions. Fortuna experienced all sorts of problems at the back in a 5-0 loss to Ajax, and it is no wonder the bookies see them as underdogs in Sunday’s clash.
Forward Lisandro Semedo is out of contention for the hosts as he is on international duty. AZ, on the other hand, are on a four-game winning run in the Dutch top flight. Given Fortuna Sittard’s shaky defence, anything but a routine away win would be a major surprise. The good news for the visiting side is that Greece international Vangelis Pavlidis returns to the starting XI after serving his one-game ban in a 1-0 win over Groningen.
Highlighted Player (Andreas Samaris):
Greece international midfielder Andreas Samaris began his career playing for Panachaiki before his spells with Panionios and Olympiakos. SL Benfica is the first international experience for the 27-year-old player who arrived in Portugal in 2014.
A full international since 2013, Samaris represented Greece at the 2014 FIFA World Cup during which he managed to make his presence known and earn a move abroad. Andreas Samaris operates as a central midfield but is capable of filling in defensive midfielder role. Greek international was the mainstay for Benfica during his first two seasons at the club managing 46 Primeira Liga appearances during the period. He also added 12 Champions League appearances.
Andreas Samaras helped Benfica win two Primeira Liga titles, two Taca da Liga trophies and one Super Cup. Greek international was the regular performer for his national team during the unsuccessful Euro 2016 qualifying campaign with ten games to his name.
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.
