AZ vs Heracles – News and Probable Lineups

AZ Alkmaar will look to enhance their chances of securing European football as they welcome Heracles Almelo this Sunday in an Eredivisie encounter at the AFAS Stadion.

The game features two teams with varying fortunes this season, with De Kaasboeren aiming to ascend the standings while Heracles fights to evade relegation.

Match overview

AZ enters this Eredivisie matchup placed sixth, having accumulated 39 points across 26 games, keeping them in the race for European spots as the season enters its final critical phase.

However, their recent league results have been quite irregular, marked by losses to FC Utrecht and PSV Eindhoven, offset by a confidence-boosting 2–1 win over AC Sparta Prague in the UEFA Europa Conference League this past Thursday.

Despite these challenges, AZ continues to be one of the league’s more potent attacking units, averaging about 1.7 goals per game, and their overall play has kept them competitive in the quest for continental qualification as they seek to bounce back in domestic competitions against bottom-placed Heracles Almelo on Sunday.

The Cheese Farmers showcased an attacking brilliance against Sparta Prague, generating 4.1 expected goals— the highest number by a Dutch club in a major European fixture since Feyenoord’s 4.4 on October 21, 2021.

In the Eredivisie, the team led by Leeroy Echteld risks finishing outside the top five for the first time since the 2016–17 season, currently trailing fourth-placed AFC Ajax by five points and having suffered defeats in their last two league matches.

Jizz Hornkamp, who joined AZ in January, is set to face his former team for the first time since the transfer, while Lequincio Zeefuik, currently on loan at Heracles, will aim to impress against his parent club.

De Kaasboeren also has the advantage in their past clashes, recently winning the reverse fixture in September and remaining unbeaten in 13 home encounters against Heracles since a KNVB Cup semi-final loss in 2012.

Following a tumultuous week marked by internal conflicts, Heracles aimed to restore some order in Delden with a mini-training camp which culminated in a draw against FC Utrecht, putting an end to a four-match losing streak and possibly serving as a turning point, despite the lack of immediate benefits.

The acquisition of 29-year-old Vincent Heilmann from PSV’s Under-19 squad created a buzz around the club, potentially providing the motivation coach Ernest Faber needed to invigorate a side that has struggled defensively and conceded heavily throughout the season.

The Tukkers head to Alkmaar under increased pressure as they sit last in the Eredivisie, occupying 18th place with just 18 points to show for their efforts this campaign.

Their deficiencies have been evident at both ends of the pitch, signifying an urgent need for points to escape relegation before the end of the season.

Recent performances do not paint a promising picture either, as the visitors have been unable to secure a win in their last five league outings, scoring merely two goals during this stretch, making them vulnerable as they face a tough away challenge against one of the league’s stronger opponents.

Last weekend’s draw against Utrecht came on the heels of a damaging series of losses, including a 3–1 defeat at home to league leaders PSV Eindhoven, a severe 4–0 loss against Go Ahead Eagles, a close 1–0 loss to struggling NAC Breda, and a heavy 4–1 defeat to NEC Nijmegen.

Team News

AZ will be without Alexandre Penetra for the upcoming match after the central defender picked up his fifth yellow card of the Eredivisie season in the game against PSV Eindhoven, leading to a one-match suspension.

Echteld is still pondering how to modify his defensive arrangements in Penetra’s absence, while Jordy Clasie, Seiya Maikuma, and Mateo Chavez also remain sidelined due to injuries.

For the visitors, Faber has the option to reinstate Mario Engels in Alkmaar, as the attacker has recovered sufficiently to rejoin the matchday squad, while Sem Scheperman is continuing his recovery from a long injury spell with substitute appearances against PSV and Utrecht.

Nonetheless, Luka Kulenovic, Walid Ould-Chikh, Mike te Wierik, and Jeff Reine-Adelaide are set to miss out due to their respective injuries.

AZ Alkmaar probable starting XI:

Owusu-Oduro; Dijkstra, Goes, Penetra, De Wit; Smit, Koopmeiners, Mijnans; Jensen, Daal, Parrott

Heracles probable starting XI:

feather key; Wieckhoff, Mirani, Van Hoorenbeeck, Mesik; Bozinoxi, Zamburek, Hrustic; Unuvar; Ahlstrand, Zeefuik

As AZ strives for European qualification and Heracles battles to avert relegation, Sunday’s match holds substantial significance for both teams.

While AZ is expected to enter the match as clear favorites due to their superior league standing and historical success in this matchup, the visitors will hope to deliver a strong performance to keep their survival hopes alive, though a 3–1 victory for the Cheese Farmers on home soil is anticipated.