AZ Alkmaar vs Almere City prediction: NETHERLANDS: Eredivisie betting tips on match 2023-12-09 20:00.
The month of truth has arrived for AZ Alkmaar, and it didnât begin very well with a draw at FC Utrecht. This Wednesday just gone, despite producing three good chances, the Alkmaarders failed to score in the remaining five minutes at home against NEC. As a result, the gap to Feyenoord after their most recent win is now five points, whilst Twente also leapt ahead again with their Round 15 win.
There are three more crucial matches for Pascal Jansen's team in the coming weeks. Next Thursday, AZ can claim a place in the next round of the UEFA Europa Conference League against Legia Warsaw in Poland. This will be followed by a home match against the current leader, PSV Eindhoven, on Sunday evening (December 17). The calendar year will be wrapped up with a visit to the amateurs of HHC Hardenberg in the KNVB Cup.
Their next opponent, Almere City FC, are in 16th place and therefore in the danger zone. The newcomers have descended from the clouds after a seven-game unbeaten period in which they registered their first three Eredivisie victories. Since a draw against Ajax on November 12, Almere lost 5-0 at home to Heracles Almelo, whilst last weekend SC Heerenveen was too strong in Friesland (3-0).
It will still be a challenge to secure survival in their debut Eredivisie season, though there are some great opportunities for progress coming up. After this trip to Alkmaar, Almere City has a crucial âsix pointerâ against Vitesse Arnhem next weekend. They will then head into the Christmas break with a KNVB Cup trip to Katwijk, before heading back to competition on January 14 against FC Volendam.
Key battle: AZ striker Mexx Meerdink made his first appearance of this Eredivisie season last Wednesday and had the best chance of scoring the equaliser. At Almere, goalkeeper Nordin Bakker has conceded eight goals in his past two matches, which was just as many as in the seven prior league appearances.
Hot stat: Of the 17 consecutive Eredivisie games since AZâs last 0-0 draw, 11 produced over 2.5 total goals. Almereâs last four league matches also saw 3+ goals scored.