AZ vs Telstar – News and Probable Lineups

Following their recent loss of the top position in the Eredivisie, AZ Alkmaar will be eager to find their winning touch when they face Telstar at the AFAS Stadion on Sunday.

The home team remains one of three clubs that have gone unbeaten thus far after six rounds, which sharply contrasts with their opponents, who have managed only a single victory in their league campaign.

Match overview

After starting the season with an impressive six consecutive victories in all competitions, AZ have encountered some obstacles, recording a goalless draw against Willem II on September 11, followed by a 1-0 defeat against Sunderland in their Europa League opener five days later.

Leeroy Echteld’s side is currently trailing defending champions PSV Eindhoven on goal difference at the top of the standings and could reclaim the top spot with a victory while PSV faces FC Twente at the same time.

De Kaasboeren triumphed over Telstar in both league encounters last season as well as in the KNVB Beker semi-finals, which brings their total competitive wins against them since 2015 to five, with their only loss in that period occurring in a friendly seven years ago.

As expected, AZ is heavily favored to secure a return to winning form this weekend, as they have not lost consecutive matches since a three-game losing streak in November 2025 at the end of Maarten Martens’s period with the club.

Before their recent setback, the Cheese Farmers had taken the lead in seven successive matches, and they will aim to replicate this feat against a Telstar team that has fallen behind first in four of their last five games and in six of the previous seven clashes with AZ.

Telstar’s victory over NEC Nijmegen in their opening matchday, which was their third consecutive win dating back to the previous season, turned out to be somewhat misleading, as they have gained only two points in the following five matches.

A recent scoreless draw with Heerenveen yielded more positives than negatives for Henk Brugge’s team, who did not create any significant chances but will be pleased with securing a valuable point, which leaves them just outside the relegation zone.

Only Heerenveen has allowed fewer goals than De Witte Leeuwen’s total of 11 among teams outside the top six, showcasing their defensive strength, largely thanks to the heroics of Ronald Koeman Jr in goal.

Nonetheless, Telstar’s attacking performance remains concerning, with the lowest goal tally in the league at just five goals this season, including three games without finding the net in their last four outings. Their only goals during this stretch came in a 2-2 draw against Cambuur, with both strikes coming from penalties.

Sunday’s visitors have not endured six matches without a victory since the beginning of the year, but they will need to step up to avoid extending that statistic by the conclusion of their match against Alkmaar.

Team News

Denso Kasius (groin) and Stije Resink (knee) have not appeared for AZ Alkmaar this season and are ruled out for the upcoming fixture.

On the other hand, Kees Smit is back in the mix for the hosts after returning from a two-match absence due to injury in Wednesday’s defeat to Sunderland.

Following Troy Parrott’s exit, Mexx Meerdink has been playing a more central role, contributing to four goals in six league matches, making him someone to watch closely.

Sem Valk has appeared in all four matches for Telstar since his transfer from Dordrecht in the summer and is expected to keep his spot in the starting XI for this weekend.

Abedelnour Soualhia is unlikely to feature, having recently joined the visitors on loan from AZ, which may create an opportunity for Prince Aning to enter the lineup.

AZ Alkmaar probable starting XI:

De Busser; Dijkstra, Goes, Schouten, Chavez; Clasie, Koopmeiners; Stengs, Kwakman, Daal; Meerdink

Telstar probable starting XI:

Koeman Jr; Aning, Peersman, Valk; Hardeveld, Rossen, Owusu, Alders; Brouwer, Mendes; Thorisson

Given Telstar’s challenges in attack, facing a team that averages nearly three goals per league match makes it hard to foresee anything other than a home win on Sunday.

We anticipate that AZ Alkmaar will secure a comfortable win once the final whistle is blown.