Utrecht vs AZ – News and Probable Lineups

Coming off an important midweek victory that kept their European hopes alive, AZ Alkmaar shifts their focus back to domestic competition on Sunday as they head to Stadion Galgenwaard to take on FC Utrecht.

Following their 4-1 victory in the previous encounter just over four months ago, the visitors aim for their first league double over Utrecht since the 2008-09 season.

Match overview

Utrecht struggled in their return to European football after a 15-year hiatus, failing to secure a win in any of their eight group-stage matches and exiting early as a result. Nevertheless, De Domstedelingen are resolute in their pursuit of a swift return to continental competitions next season.

Transitioning from December 21 to February 8, Ron Jans’s squad endured an eight-match winless streak across all tournaments, which resulted in their exit from both the Europa League and KNVB Beker, leaving them to focus solely on the league.

However, consecutive wins against NEC and Groningen brought newfound optimism to Utrecht, though a late equaliser from Thijs Oosting against PEC Zwolle denied them a third straight victory last time out. Still, the atmosphere remains upbeat.

As they cling to the last European qualification spot on goal difference ahead of Groningen and Heerenveen, Utrecht could potentially drop to 10th in the Eredivisie standings by the time play begins on Sunday, amplifying the significance of securing a win.

The team went unbeaten in their previous six meetings with AZ before suffering the 4-1 defeat in October, suggesting that a positive result this weekend would not be unexpected. However, on home soil, they have not won in eight consecutive matches, with six of those resulting in defeats.

Facing potential Conference League elimination after a first-leg defeat to Armênian side Noah in the knockout play-offs, AZ mounted a comeback on Thursday, securing a 4-0 victory in the second leg to advance to the last 16.

As a result, Leeroy Echteld’s squad is the only Dutch side remaining in European competitions this season, even though their domestic performances have not matched their early-season success, where they won seven and drew three of their first 11 league fixtures.

A recent 3-1 triumph over Sparta Rotterdam enabled De Kaasboeren to secure back-to-back victories in the Eredivisie for the first time since early November, keeping them in fifth place with 39 points, eight points clear of Utrecht, who sit three positions below.

Unlike Sunday’s opponents, AZ still has another pathway to European qualification for next season as they vie for the KNVB Beker, with a semi-final encounter against Telstar scheduled for March.

Nonetheless, the visitors are eager to display their European capabilities as they face a challenging run of four matches within five weeks against teams currently positioned in the top half of the league.

Team News

Utrecht will be missing several defensive options with Siebe Horemans (calf), Mike Eerdhuijzen (thigh), and Niklas Vesterlund (groin) all ruled out.

On the attacking front, Victor Jensen (knee) is also unavailable, as is Zidane Iqbal.

Having made a significant impact with two goals and an assist in five appearances since his loan move from Porto, Angel Alarcon is one player to watch in this match.

AZ will be without Denso Kasius and Jordy Clasie due to ankle injuries, though Kasius is nearing a return to fitness.

Seiya Maikuma is set to miss his fifth consecutive game, and he may be joined by Mateo Chavez Garcia, who sustained an injury late in Thursday’s win over Noah.

Sven Mijnans’s brace in the aforementioned match has brought his total to 14 goals in what is currently his highest-scoring season.

FC Utrecht probable starting XI:

Barkas; El Karouani, Van der Hoorn, Didden, Agougil; Engwanda, Zechiel; Alarcon, De Wit, Cathline; Stepanov

AZ Alkmaar probable starting XI:

Owusu-Oduro; De Wit, Van Duijl, Penetra, Dijkstra; Merchants, Miners, Blacksmiths; Sadiq, Parrott, Daal

Historically, only one of the last 10 encounters between these teams has concluded without both sides finding the net, suggesting that another open and exciting match is anticipated this weekend.

That said, we expect the visitors to secure a narrow victory in the end.