AZ vs Sparta – News and Probable Lineups

With only a single point separating them in the Eredivisie standings, AZ Alkmaar and Sparta Rotterdam are set to clash at the AFAS Stadion on Sunday, both aiming for European qualification.

After securing a 1-0 victory in their previous encounter, AZ now has the opportunity to achieve their first league double over Sparta since the 2017-18 season.

Match overview

AZ has been managing a busy schedule in 2026, playing every four days across various competitions, including the KNVB Beker and Conference League.

Leeroy Echteld’s team is through to the semi-finals of the Dutch Cup, where they will face Telstar for a chance to compete in April’s final. However, their European aspirations are precarious after they fell 1-0 to Armênian team Noah in the first leg of their playoff tie.

While they will seek to overturn this deficit in the return leg next week, the focus now shifts toward the match against Sparta. A win would elevate AZ above Sparta into fifth place, whereas a loss could see them drop to seventh by the end of the matchday.

Kees Smit’s goal during the second half in September contributed to a sixth victory in the last 10 encounters against Sparta, emphasizing AZ’s dominance in this matchup.

Despite this, AZ must be cautious not to falter at home, having captured just one win from their last six league matches at the AFAS Stadion—a tight 1-0 victory against relegation-threatened Volendam in January.

Sparta, boasting the second-longest active unbeaten streak in the league—only behind FC Twente’s 13 games—extended their run to seven matches without defeat with a 1-1 draw against NEC at Het Kasteel.

This match marked a second successive draw for Maurice Steijn’s squad, which was frustrating compared to their previous 2-2 result against Fortuna Sittard, where they managed a late equalizer.

However, Sparta’s collection of 17 points from the last 21 available is the best in the Eredivisie in that timeframe, placing them fifth in the standings, five points behind fourth-placed Ajax.

With clean sheets in five of their last nine league fixtures, Sparta’s solid defense has been key to their recent rise, especially since they have scored only 30 goals—the joint lowest among the top 12 teams.

Only PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord have accumulated more points away from home than Sparta, who remain unbeaten on the road since succumbing to NEC 3-1 on November 29.

Team News

Both Denso Kasius and Jordy Clasie are unavailable due to ankle injuries, the latter having played only seven league matches this season.

Seiya Maikuma, Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro, and Weslley Patati are also injury concerns for AZ, and they will be missing Mateo Chavez Garcia due to suspension.

Irish international Troy Parrott has made an impact with seven goals and three assists in his past 10 games and is a player to keep an eye on.

Pelle Clement’s participation is uncertain after he was injured late in Sparta’s last match, raising doubts about his availability for this weekend.

Vito van Crooij got injured just 28 minutes into his debut for Sparta after moving on loan from NEC in the winter transfer window and has yet to return to action.

AZ Alkmaar probable starting XI:

Sweet; De Wit, Penetra, Goes, Dijkstra; Koopmeiners, Boogaard; Jensen, Sin, Daal; Parrott

Sparta Rotterdam probable starting XI:

Drommel; Quintero, Martins Indi, Young, Martes; Toornstra, Kitolano; Mito, Santos, Boss; Lauritsen

With thoughts on their upcoming European fixture against FC Noah, AZ might rotate their squad for the match on Sunday.

Nonetheless, a tightly contested battle is expected, with both teams likely willing to share the points.