AZ vs FC Twente – News and Probable Lineups

Twente continue to aim for a top-three finish as they make their way north-west to encounter AZ Alkmaar at AFAS Stadion this Sunday afternoon, with the hosts also still in contention for Champions League qualification.

As the season approaches its conclusion with three matches remaining, the Enschede visitors hold the fifth position in the Eredivisie table, tied on points with fourth-placed Ajax but lagging behind on goal difference, one point off third-placed NEC, and five points ahead of this weekend’s hosts, who recently claimed the KNVB Beker.

Match overview

AZ have had a season filled with ups and downs in 2025-26, and April has been no different for the Cheese Farmers’ supporters, who celebrated their team’s domestic cup triumph just three days after their exit from the Conference League was confirmed.

Having secured continental football for the seventh consecutive season—thanks to a 5-1 victory over NEC in the KNVB Beker final that guaranteed a Europa League spot—a finish in the top three would further enhance what has been a positive end to the season, although this objective faced a hurdle during Thursday’s match in Deventer.

Leeroy Echteld’s extensively rotated squad managed only a goalless draw against Go Ahead Eagles, again stressing AZ’s away difficulties, although this result did extend their unbeaten league streak to three matches, following wins against Fortuna Sittard and Heerenveen.

Returning to AFAS Stadion should boost their confidence, as AZ have won all of their last four Eredivisie matches there, scoring at least three goals in three of those games and achieving clean sheets in their most recent three outings.

The Cheese Farmers have also been successful in their last four home fixtures against Twente and will be hopeful that this record will prove advantageous in their quest for third place, while also aiming to avoid suffering a league double in this matchup for the first time since the 2021-22 season after falling 1-0 in the previous encounter last November.

On the other hand, Twente will be keen to prevent back-to-back losses against AZ after their extra-time defeat in the KNVB Beker quarter-finals earlier this year; however, the Tukkers have shown greater consistency in their league performances since then.

Following that cup disappointment in February, John van den Brom’s squad has achieved seven victories in their ten Eredivisie matches (D2, L1), bolstering their hopes for a top-three finish, although they missed a direct opportunity to ascend to third place last weekend.

In a match against NEC, who started the round one point ahead of Twente, the latter took an early advantage through Sondre Orjasaeter after just 10 minutes, yet Bryan Linssen’s equalizer meant the points were shared, with the Enschede outfit yielding fourth place to Ajax, who triumphed over NAC Breda.

This draw also halted the Tukkers’ three-match winning streak in the league, but their overall record remains impressive, with just one defeat in 21 Eredivisie matches since October last year (W10, D10).

Currently unbeaten in their last 12 away fixtures in the Eredivisie, Twente has won their last three in this run, scoring at least two goals in each, providing genuine encouragement ahead of Sunday’s crucial encounter.

Team News

AZ are expected to continue without midfielder Peer Koopmeiners, who was unavailable for Thursday’s match due to a muscle issue, while striker Jizz Hornkamp is still recovering from an ankle concern.

Left-back Mees de Wit was also missing last time out because of a knock, casting doubt on his availability here, while club captain Jordy Clasie and striker Troy Parrott were also absent from the squad in Deventer.

A total of seven changes were made on Thursday from the side that played in the cup final, so players like Ro-Zangano Daal and Wouter Goes are likely to return to the starting XI after their appearances from the bench.

Meanwhile, Twente will be without defender Mees Hilgers, who continues to recover from a serious knee injury that has sidelined him for the entire season.

Sam Lammers is anticipated to spearhead the attack yet again, while Kristian Hlynsson, who is the club’s top scorer with nine league goals, is likely to play just behind him in the number 10 position.

Daan Rots is expected to continue on the right wing, while Orjasaeter should maintain his spot on the left after scoring last weekend.

AZ Alkmaar probable starting XI:

Owusu-Oduro; Penetra, Goes, Van Duijl; Dijkstra, Smit, Mijnans. Chavez; Jensen, Meerdink, Daal

FC Twente probable starting XI:

Unnerstall; Van Rooij, Lemkin, Nijstad, M Rots; Zerrouki, Van den Belt; D Rock, Hlynsson, Orjasaeter; Lammers

With both teams vying for Champions League qualification, neither can afford to hold back in this clash, which is expected to be an open contest with opportunities at both ends.

AZ arrives with strong home momentum, while Twente’s resilience away from home cannot be overlooked, making this encounter finely balanced, and a draw appears to be a likely outcome.