SC Heerenveen vs AZ Alkmaar Prediction

This Sunday’s Eredivisie action sees AZ Alkmaar make the trip to face SC Heerenveen at the Abe Lenstra Stadion. This is a big match for the away side with them on the hunt to close down the gap between them and Champions League football for next season.

Key Stats

• SC Heerenveen have scored 6 goals in their last five games whereas AZ Alkmaar have scored 11 goals in their last 5 games
• AZ Alkmaar have gone on an unbeaten streak of 7 matches
• SC Heerenveen haven’t managed to keep a clean sheet in their last 10 matches
• AZ Alkmaar beat SC Heerenveen 9-1 in the reverse fixture earlier on in the season

Team Previews, Form and Standout Players

Both teams head into this game in contrasting form. Over AZ Alkmaar’s last five games they have won three times and drawn twice, contributing a lot to their seven-game streak without losing. SC Heerenveen on the other hand have been handed two losses and have had three consecutive draws. This Sunday’s match has big implications with AZ Alkmaar on the cusp of climbing to the UEFA Champions League qualification spot in the Eredivisie.

SC Heerenveen Preview

Formation: 4-2-3-1

SC Heerenveen Predicted Line-Up: Mickey van der Hart; Mats Köhlert, Nikolai Hopland, Sam Kersten, Oliver Braude; Marcus Linday, Espen van Ee; Dimitris Rallis, Levi Smans, Alireza Jahanbakhsh; Milos Lukovic

SC Heerenveen have been able to have a lengthy break since their defeat to PEC Zwolle almost two weeks ago. The time off was definitely needed for them as that loss was their third in a row, accounting for the 10 they’ve had in the 23 Eredivisie games so far. Accompanied by those losses are seven win and six draws, totalling up to 27 points. They sit in 10th place as two other teams share the same tally but goal difference has them sandwiched in between them.

De Superfriezen have been able to rely on winger Jacob Trenskow this season with him registering eight goal involvements, breaking down into five goals and three assists. However, the Dane looks set to miss this match through injury, dropping the mantle of difference maker onto one of his teammate’s shoulders. Left back Mats Köhlert has picked up four assists so far and he could earn himself another this Sunday with Heerenveen’s fast break whipped crosses.

AZ Alkmaar Preview

Formation: 4-2-3-1

AZ Alkmaar Predicted Line-Up: Rome Jayden Owusu-Oduro; David Møller Wolfe, Alexandre Penetra, Wouter Goes, Seiya Maikuma; Jordy Clasie, Peer Koopmeiners; Mayckel Lahdo, Zico Buurmeester, Ernest Poku; Troy Parrott

AZ Alkmaar seem to be unbeatable both at home and on the road right now, not seeing a loss in their last seven matches. Out of the 23 league games they have competed in, they have won 13 of them, losing six times and drawing four. Those results have left them with 43 points, sharing that tally with two other teams but Feyenoord’s goal difference is too much for Alkmaar, leaving them in fourth place. Not only to AZ Alkmaar have to focus on the domestic season but on the UEFA Europa League as well. Heading into the Round of 16 stages, they will soon come up against Premier League opposition Tottenham Hotspur over two legs.

Coincidentally, it has been former Spurs player Troy Parrot who has been delivering for De Kaasboeren all season long. The 23-year-old joined on a permanent move in the summer and hasn’t looked back since. The Irishman has netted 12 times and provided one assist this Eredivisie campaign. Last time Parrott played SC Heerenveen, he scored four goals as part of a 9-1 thrashing. He might not grab as many this time but he will certainly be a difference maker for AZ Alkmaar this Sunday.

Head To Head Stats: SC Heerenveen vs AZ Alkmaar

The last five faceoffs have been split in the favour of AZ Alkmaar, winning three and drawing in the remaining two matches. This Sunday looks like they will come out victorious once more, just not as successful as their last meeting.

Recent Matches:

14th September 2024 – AZ Alkmaar 9-1 SC Heerenveen – Eredivisie

28th January 2024 – SC Heerenveen 2-2 AZ Alkmaar –Eredivisie

21st October 2023 – AZ Alkmaar 3-0 SC Heerenveen – Eredivisie

1st April 2023 – AZ Alkmaar 1-1 SC Heerenveen – Eredivisie

14th January 2023 – SC Heerenveen 0-2 AZ Alkmaar – Eredivisie

Betting Tips For SC Heerenveen vs AZ Alkmaar

AZ Alkmaar are flying right now, so close to residing in the UEFA Champions League qualification spot. Heerenveen have been poor at home this season and that looks like it will come back to bite them this Sunday.

For that reason, our betting experts have gone with AZ Alkmaar To Win + Over 1.5 First Half Goals as our best value tip for this game.

Odds of 4/1 mean that a £10 bet has the potential to return up to £50 in this match.

(odds subject to change)

Final Prediction: SC Heerenveen vs AZ Alkmaar

SC Heerenveen 1-3 AZ Alkmaar

AZ Alkmaar cannot be stopped at the moment as proven by their seven-game unbeaten streak across all competitions. With Heerenveen in a bit of a slump, the away side should head back with all three points this Sunday.