Feyenoord vs AZ Alkmaar prediction: NETHERLANDS: Eredivisie betting tips on match 2023-02-18 20:00.
After winning their respective groups in the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League earlier in the season, both Feyenoord and AZ Alkmaar were able to stay home during the week and watch their Eredivisie title challengers Ajax and PSV Eindhoven both play their knockout round playoffs. That certainly suits both clubs who would have appreciated the extra days of rest ahead of this crucial top-of-the-table battle at De Kuip between two outfits who have added just one Eredivisie trophy each to their cabinets this century.
League leaders Feyenoord have not lost any of their last 14 Eredivisie fixtures in what remains their best season since 2016/17, whilst they can boast to be one of two clubs yet to lose at home this league season (W6, D4). That 60% win rate, however, has helped keep several clubs within striking distance of their crown. The home side will have to go without captain Orkun Kökçü this weekend because of suspension, which will lead to Lutsharel Geertruida wearing the armband for the first time this campaign.
Visiting side Alkmaar have also been letting themselves down far too often at home this season, but that won’t be of any concern this week for they have worked their way into second place courtesy of the Eredivisie’s finest away record (W8, D1, L2). Feyenoord boss Arne Slot had glowing praise for his former assistant Pascal Jansen, telling media Alkmaar’s rise through the rankings under Jansen’s stewardship “doesn’t surprise me … AZ plays very good football. That’s a compliment to Pascal.”
AZ indeed put on a gala performance in their game against Excelsior last weekend, scoring five goals for the second time in three games, but this time with a much more disciplined defensive effort. It did not surprise to see the trio of Jens Odgaard, Vangelis Pavlidis and Jesper Karlsson strike, but newcomer Sven Mijnans also shone with two goals and an assist. Not only will this clash be the coming together of two managerial colleagues, but there will also be players who are crossing paths with former clubs. For example, Feyenoord’s Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Oussama Idrissi have history with AZ, as do AZ’s Jordy Clasie and the injured Bruno Martins Indi with Feyenoord!
Players to watch: Santiago Giménez has scored in three of his last four appearances for Feyenoord, whilst Vangelis Pavlidis now has an outstanding tally of nine goals and three assists in his last ten appearances for AZ.
Hot stat: AZ have scored in each of their last 33 Eredivisie matches, whilst Feyenoord have found the net in their last 19.