Excelsior vs AZ – News and Probable Lineups

SBV Excelsior aims to enhance their chances of European qualification as they face AZ Alkmaar at Stadion Woudestein this Saturday, in the current round of the 2025-26 Eredivisie season.

The home side secured their first victory of 2026 by beating NAC Breda 2-0 in their last match, while AZ Alkmaar dropped two points late in the game during a 1-1 draw against Ajax.

Match overview

After eliminating Ajax in the last 16 of the KNVB Beker just over three weeks ago, AZ seemed on track to achieve a third straight win against their Amsterdam rivals when Wouter Goes put them ahead in Sunday’s fixture at the AFAS Stadion.

However, they were thwarted in stoppage time when Kian Fitz-Jim equalised, leaving Leeroy Echteld frustrated at the final whistle.

Since assuming the role from Maarten Martens, Echteld has only managed two victories out of five matches in charge, which does little to bolster his claim for a permanent position at the season’s end.

AZ was positioned as high as third in the Eredivisie standings after matchday 12, but a disappointing yield of nine points from their last 10 league games has seen them fall to seventh, just two points ahead of Groningen in eighth.

De Kaasboeren might be settling for a playoff spot in the Conference League at best, although qualification for the Europa League remains a possibility if they succeed in the KNVB Beker, with a semi-final against Telstar coming up next month.

For now, on Saturday, the visitors will aim to return to winning form against an Excelsior team that has not prevailed in any of their last five encounters since winning twice between 2019 and 2022.

Following a harsh 5-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven, Excelsior could not have had a more difficult kickoff to 2026, but they have recovered well with four draws and a win from their subsequent five matches.

Ruben den Uil’s squad capitalized on their play with an extra man, delivering a convincing win over Breda, aided by first-half strikes from Emil Hansson and Irakli Yegoian, along with outstanding goalkeeping from Stijn van Gassel.

Many would have considered it unlikely for De Roodzwarten to challenge for continental football after beginning the season with just two wins from eight matches, leaving them near the bottom of the table.

Now five points behind Groningen in eighth place, Excelsior finds itself in a competitive group of five teams vying for the final European position, which is expected to be a close race.

Saturday’s hosts have netted two goals in their last two matches, but their overall attacking performance throughout the season has been underwhelming, with only 24 goals scored in 22 games — the second-fewest in the league, just ahead of the last-placed NAC Breda, who have 23.

Team News

Noah Naujoks managed just 14 minutes during Excelsior’s triumph over Breda before he had to leave due to an injury, casting doubt on his availability for Saturday’s match.

If Naujoks is ruled out, 19-year-old Jerroldino Bergraaf is anticipated to lead the attack despite failing to find the net in 16 league appearances this season.

AZ will be without Jordy Clasie and Denso Kasius due to ankle issues, while fellow Dutch player Sven Mijnans is dealing with a hamstring injury.

Mexx Meerdink has been absent since October because of a groin injury and remains unavailable for the away team, who will need to make a last-minute decision on Seiya Maikuma after he left the AZ match with a limp.

Midfielder Peer Koopmeiners picked up his fifth yellow card of the season in the most recent match and will be serving a one-match suspension as a consequence.

SBV Excelsior probable starting XI:

Van Gassel; Zagre, Meissen, Widell, Bronkhorst; Hartjes, Schouten; Hansson, Yegoian, De Regt; Bergraaf

AZ Alkmaar probable starting XI:

Sweet; De Wit, Penetra, Goes, Chavez; Boogaard, Sin; Jensen, Hornkamp, ​​Daal; Parrott

Excelsior and AZ Alkmaar possess comparable defensive statistics with only a single goal separating them in terms of goals conceded, but the offensive capabilities of the visitors give them the edge in this matchup.

While it may be a tight encounter, we anticipate AZ to secure the victory and hand their hosts a first defeat in six outings.