Eredivisie
AZ Alkmaar vs NEC Nijmegen
Date and time: 17 Aug 2024 at 18:00 UTC
Referee: Edwin van de Graaf
Stadium: AFAS Stadion
Location: Alkmaar, Netherlands
Match Summary
AZ Alkmaar will host NEC Nijmegen at AFAS Stadion for this Eredivisie fixture. AZ Alkmaar comes in with strong pre-season form and an opening league victory, while NEC Nijmegen seeks to bounce back from their recent defeat.
Form and Historical Context
AZ Alkmaar:
– Strong pre-season form with convincing wins over AEK Athens and Excelsior, and a recent 1-0 victory over Almere City FC in the Eredivisie opener.
– Finished last season with a high-scoring win against FC Utrecht and a solid pre-season.
– Typically employs a 4-2-3-1 formation, focusing on solid defensive play and dynamic attacks.
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NEC Nijmegen:
– Mixed pre-season results, including a draw with Le Havre but losses to Hertha Berlin and Olympiacos.
– Lost their Eredivisie opener 2-1 to FC Twente.
– Expected to use a 4-3-3 formation, emphasizing structured defense and quick transitions.
Predicted Lineups
AZ Alkmaar (4-2-3-1):
– Goalkeeper: Jeroen Zoet (41)
– Defenders: Seiya Maikuma (16), Wouter Goes (3), Alexandre Penetra (5), David Møller Wolfe (18)
– Midfielders: Jordy Clasie (8), Peer Koopmeiners (6)
– Attacking Midfielders: Ibrahim Sadiq (11), Sven Mijnans (10), Myron Van Brederode (19)
– Forward: Troy Parrott (9)
NEC Nijmegen (4-3-3):
– Goalkeeper: Robin Roefs (22)
– Defenders: Bart Van Rooij (28), Ivan Marquez (4), Bram Nuytinck (17), Calvin Verdonk (24)
– Midfielders: Mees Hoedemakers (6), Dirk Wanner Proper (71), Rober (7)
– Forwards: Kodai Sano (23), Sami Ouaissa (25), Basar Onal (11)
Head-to-Head
– The last competitive match in April 2024 ended with a 3-0 victory for AZ Alkmaar over NEC Nijmegen.
– Historically, AZ Alkmaar has held the upper hand, often securing comprehensive victories, though NEC Nijmegen has also managed a notable win or draw.
– Matches usually show AZ Alkmaar’s dominance, especially at home.
Strengths and Considerations
AZ Alkmaar:
– Strengths: Consistent attacking options, solid defensive organization, and home advantage.
– Considerations: Need to maintain concentration and capitalize on scoring opportunities.
NEC Nijmegen:
– Strengths: Structured defensive play and effective counter-attacks.
– Considerations: Inconsistencies in recent performances and conversion of goal-scoring opportunities.
Predicted Outcome
Given AZ Alkmaar’s strong pre-season form and historical dominance over NEC Nijmegen, they are likely to have the upper hand in this fixture. NEC Nijmegen’s defensive setup and counter-attacking capabilities might pose some challenges, but AZ Alkmaar’s well-rounded performance should secure them a victory.
Predicted End Result:
AZ Alkmaar 2 – 0 NEC Nijmegen
Potential Goalscorers:
– AZ Alkmaar: Troy Parrott (1), Ibrahim Sadiq (1)
– NEC Nijmegen: N/A
While these predictions are based on current form and historical data, football’s unpredictable nature means the actual result may vary. Enjoy the match!
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