Feyenoord vs AZ – News and Probable Lineups

This Sunday evening, Feyenoord Rotterdam will aim to secure their place in next season’s Champions League as they host cup winners AZ Alkmaar at De Kuip.

The home side approaches the match with an unbeaten streak of seven matches, while the visitors return to the venue where they lifted the Dutch Cup a month ago.

Match overview

Feyenoord Rotterdam is just one win away from officially clinching second place in the Eredivisie, which would also guarantee their entrance into the Champions League next season.

Another significant motivation for head coach Robin van Persie and his players is to secure a win in their final home match of what has been a challenging campaign.

While finishing second is commendable, being 17 points adrift of league leaders PSV Eindhoven is certainly a point of disappointment.

Although both teams have posted the same defensive statistics this season, the main distinction lies in the number of goals, with PSV leading their rivals by 25 goals.

The considerable gap between the top two teams can also be attributed to Feyenoord’s extensive number of draws this season.

In the last few weeks alone, they have recorded four draws in their last seven games, including a couple of 1-1 results against rivals in the top four.

The last encounter between Feyenoord and AZ Alkmaar also ended in a stalemate, with the teams battling to a thrilling 3-3 draw back in September.

AZ Alkmaar faces no significant pressure heading into these last two matches of the season, having already secured the cup and ensured their participation in next season’s Europa League.

Leeroy Echteld and his squad come into the weekend sitting sixth in the table, riding a four-match unbeaten streak.

AZ maintained that unbeaten run with a 2-2 draw against FC Twente last weekend, largely due to an equalizer from Peer Koopmeiners in the 95th minute.

Mathematically, AZ can still challenge Ajax for fourth place, but this would necessitate Ajax losing their last two fixtures.

Instead, AZ will focus on preserving their current position and staying above Heerenveen and FC Utrecht, both of whom are climbing the table.

Concerning motivation, the cup winners will strive to improve their poor performance away, which has seen them suffer five defeats in seven outings.

Feyenoord Eredivisie form:

W D D D W W

AZ Alkmaar Eredivisie form:

W L W W D D

AZ Alkmaar form (all competitions):

L W D W D D

Team News

Feyenoord is facing a lengthy injury list as they prepare for this weekend’s match.

South Korean midfielder In-Beom Hwang remains out with a muscle injury that has sidelined him since mid-March.

Bart Nieuwkoop and Leo Sauer are unlikely to return, while Gijs Smal and Sem Steijn are also doubtful.

Additionally, Thomas Beelen (broken leg), Shaqueel van Persie (knee), Malcolm Jeng (leg), and Shiloh Zand (knee) are all long-term absentees.

On the other hand, AZ Alkmaar will miss a couple of key players ahead of their journey to Rotterdam.

Billy van Duijl has been on and off the squad in recent weeks and is unlikely to be available on Sunday.

The same applies to forward Jizz Hornkamp, who has been out of action since March.

In terms of scoring, AZ will look to Republic of Ireland striker Troy Parrott, who has netted 15 league goals this season.

Feyenoord probable starting XI:

Wellenreuther; Bos, Waranabe, Trauner, Deijl; Targhalline, Kraaijeveld; van den Elshout, Valente, Hadj Moussa; Ueda

AZ Alkmaar probable starting XI:

Owusu-Oduro; de Wit, Penetra, Goes, Dijkstra; Clasie, Smith; Daal, Mijnans, Jensen; Parrott

Feyenoord is aiming to conclude the season on a high note, and we anticipate they will secure a significant victory in their last home game of the season.

The hosts have an impressive home record this season, while AZ has not triumphed in an away league match since February.