AZ Alkmaar play host to Fortuna Sittard on Sunday looking for the victory that could move the club into third place in the Eredivisie table.
Despite sitting in 11th position in the standings, the visitors are currently enduring one of their worst runs of form this campaign.
Match preview
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After last season's early exit from the Conference League, there has been a real determination from AZ to go as far as possible in the 2024-25 Europa League.
They booked their last-16 spot in midweek by overcoming Galatasaray, earning a 2-2 draw in Turkey on the back of last week's 4-1 success at the AFAS Stadium.
Having now lost just twice in 19 matches in all competitions, Maarten Martens can be delighted with the progression of his team as they bid to earn qualification for the Champions League.
AZ are also still going strong in the KNVB Beker, a last-four tie at Heracles to come before the end of the month, but they can ill-afford to become distracted by the prospect of a potential appearance in the final.
Martens's side head into this encounter with just the eighth-best home record in the division, losing four of their 11 fixtures on familiar territory.
Nevertheless, there is still just a three-point gap to third position, that their realistic aim with PSV Eindhoven 12 points clear in second.
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Fortuna Sittard's away record is also less than impressive, just two victories coming from their 11 such fixtures since August.
Danny Buijs will be more concerned by Sittard's form in general with only one point having been accumulated from their last five fixtures.
Only two victories have been recorded in their most recent 11 games, although they did only lose 2-0 at home to leaders Ajax back on February 9.
Two weeks would have passed since their last outing come kickoff on Sunday, Buijs hoping that they can take advantage of AZ's time on their travels during the week.
Team News
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AZ midfielder Sven Mijnans is highly likely to miss this fixture after being withdrawn in the 12th minute against Galatasarsy.
Zico Buurmeester could deputise having replaced him on that occasion, while Mayckel Lahdo is at risk of dropping down to the substitutes' bench.
Ibrahim Sadiq is in line to come back into the side on the right flank with Ernest Poku missing out.
Meanwhile, Bojan Radulovic may be considered for a first start for Sittard after his recent transfer from Huddersfield Town.
If that is the case, Kristoffer Peterson could start on the left flank, with Edouard Michut the player to miss out should Alessio da Cruz switch to the right.
AZ Alkmaar possible starting lineup:
Owuso-Odoro; Maikuma, Goes, Penetra, Wolfe; Koopmeiners, Belic; Sadiq, Buurmeester, Lahdo; Parrott
Fortuna Sittard possible starting lineup:
Koopmans; Mitrovic, Ottele, Adewoye, Rosier, Dijks; Cruz, Fosso, Halilovic, Peterson; Radulovic
We say: AZ Alkmaar 2-1 Fortuna Sittard
On the back of such an impressive win in midweek, it remains to be seen whether AZ can reproduce that level of performance. Nevertheless, we feel that they should still have enough in the tank to inflict more misery on Sittard, potentially through a late goal.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
