Thursday's Eredivisie predictions including AZ Alkmaar vs. Heerenveen

AZ vs. Heerenveen (Thursday, 5.45pm)

© Imago

AZ Alkmaar and Heerenveen will meet at AFAS Stadion on Thursday with a place in the Eredivisie playoffs on the line.

Thanks to an unbeaten end to the season, the hosts finished the regular season in fifth spot on 57 points, while their visitors snuck into the final playoff place with a final-day win at the weekend.

We say: AZ Alkmaar 2-0 Heerenveen

The hosts rebuilt confidence and momentum in the final games of the regular Eredivisie campaign, and even without Parrott's attacking threat they should have the quality to get past Heerenveen and move within touching distance of a European qualifying spot with a home win on Thursday.

> Eredivisie preview: AZ vs Heerenveen

FC Twente vs. Nijmegen (Thursday, 8.00pm)

© Imago

FC Twente and NEC will square off on Thursday in the Eredivisie European playoffs semi-finals.

The hosts finished the regular season in sixth spot, 11 points ahead of their eighth-placed visitors.

We say: FC Twente 2-1 NEC

NEC certainly head into Thursday's semi-final with new-found momentum against an FC Twente side who ended the regular season slowly, but we still see the hosts having more quality and back them to prevail with home advantage on their side.

> Eredivisie preview: FC Twente vs Nijmegen