Feyenoord vs AZ – News and Probable Lineups

Feyenoord may find themselves at the summit of the Eredivisie table by the end of gameweek eight if they secure a victory against the league-leading AZ Alkmaar in what promises to be an exciting matchup.

AZ, who remain unbeaten, topped the league standings as they entered the international break after PSV Eindhoven lost a lead of 2-1 in a surprising 3-2 defeat to FC Twente, putting the Cheese Farmers in a strong position before heading to De Kuip, where they have not won in their last six trips.

Match overview

After a series of frustrating draws at De Kuip, Giovanni van Bronckhorst finally managed to clinch his first home win upon his return to the Rotterdam club for a second tenure prior to the break, with De Stadionclub putting on a stellar performance to dismantle FC Utrecht 5-0.

This victory was precisely what the former Países Baixos international needed, as his side had previously settled for draws against Go Ahead Eagles and ADO Den Haag to kick off the season, relying on an unblemished away record to keep pace with the then-leaders PSV before a stunning defeat at Twente occurred.

Having scored five in a convincing 5-2 victory at Cambuur, followed by three in a 3-1 win and seven in a 7-0 demolition of PEC Zwolle, it was satisfying to see Van Bronckhorst’s squad replicate some of their impressive form at home.

The developments leading up to the three-week hiatus position Feyenoord just two points behind their upcoming opponents in matchweek eight, and winning their consecutive home fixtures will guarantee them the top position in the standings.

Given the historical context of this fixture, the supporters of the Rotterdam club will likely have high expectations.

Historically, AZ has struggled to find success against Feyenoord, with the past 10 encounters showing that the Stadium Club has secured seven victories, while the Alkmaar team has only managed to win once.

Visits to De Kuip have often been challenging for De Kaasboeren, whose victories in September 2019 and January 2021 broke a nine-match winless streak in Rotterdam, where seven of those matches ended in defeat.

Those consecutive wins were exceptional, as Feyenoord claimed victory in five of their subsequent six encounters in all competitions before the Cheese Farmers managed a 1-1 draw on the second last matchday of the 2025-26 season in May.

With their current standing as league leaders, AZ aims to project the confidence of a team that belongs in the title race, knowing they can remain at the top by avoiding a loss against the potent hosts.

However, it remains uncertain if they can secure that point against a team they traditionally find difficult to face.

Team News

While Goncalo Borges is dealing with an injury, Feyenoord will miss key players Bart Nieuwkoop (knee), Gijs Smal (ankle), Jakub Moder (knee), Thomas Beelen (broken leg), Tsuyoshi Watanabe (leg), and Jordânia Bos (knee).

After a slow start this season, Anis Hadj Moussa found his scoring touch with five goals in three league matches before the international break, and the Argélia international will be looking to continue that scoring form post-hiatus.

Besides Moussa, the home side has a wealth of game-changers, including newly capped Dutch international Gjivai Zechiel, who has scored five goals and provided four assists in the Eredivisie this season, while Luciano Valente and summer recruit Nacho Ferri have also shown their match-winning capabilities with four league goals each.

AZ’s Ro-Zangelo Daal matches Valente and Ferri’s tally with four goals, while Mexx Meerdink has found the net three times for the league leaders after seven matches.

Although Peer Koopmeiners seldom finds the net or provides assists, his all-round midfield abilities allow him to control the game effectively, reflected in his completion of 351 passes in the opponent’s half and 232 successful connections in the final third, along with 40 recoveries.

Stije Resink is the only reported absentee for AZ, as he is sidelined with a knee injury that is expected to keep him out until November or December.

Feyenoord probable starting XI:

Ernst; Read, Marmol, St Juste, Lopez; Zechiel, Vanhoutte, Targhalline; Hajj Moussa, Ferri, Valente

AZ Alkmaar probable starting XI:

De Busser; Dijkstra, Goes, Schouten, Chavez; Kwakman, Koopmeiners; Oufkir, Byskov, Daal; Meerdink

AZ’s place at the top implies that Feyenoord might not have the match entirely in their favor, but the formidable attacking options of the Rotterdam giants should ultimately prove too overwhelming for the visitors, who have not suffered defeat in their last 13 league matches.

As Van Bronckhorst’s side finds their rhythm again at De Kuip and has dominated this fixture lately, a significant win for the hosts appears to be on the cards.