Preview: AZ Alkmaar vs. Fortuna Sittard - prediction, team news, lineups

AZ Alkmaar play host to Fortuna Sittard on Sunday looking for the win which would strengthen their hold of second place in the Eredivise standings.

Meanwhile, the visitors head into this fixture sitting in 12th position, four points clear of the bottom three.

Match preview

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When AZ started this campaign, they would have anticipated challenging for third spot at best, assuming that Ajax and PSV Eindhoven would contest the title.

However, they currently sit ahead of both of those sides, emerging as the best of the rest behind a Feyenoord side who are showing signs that they could break clear at the top.

There is disappointment that AZ are not closer than four points to the frontrunners having posted one draw and three defeats in their last seven outings.

Nevertheless, Pascal Jansen's side have picked up four points from fixtures against Vitesse and Heerenveen since the resumption of action after the World Cup.

Of the big three, AZ only have Feyenoord to come before the start of May, highlighting that there is an opportunity to retain a place in the top two in the long term.

While they possess the tag of favourites for this encounter, AZ cannot afford any complacency against Sittard, despite the difference in league positions.

Although Sunday's visitors have prevailed in just one of their last seven Eredivisie outings, they have registered draws with Feyenoord and PSV during that period.

Last time out, Julio Velazquez's side defied playing the final 34 minutes with 10 men to net a last-minute penalty at home to PSV.

Fortunezen now sit in 12th spot, seven points clear of bottom position where they spent the early weeks of the season, and Velazquez and his players will relish the chance of causing another upset against a title challenger.

Team News

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With Mathew Ryan expected to be absent for AZ, goalkeeper Hobie Verhulst will continue between the sticks.

Barring any fitness issues from the win at Heerenveen, Jansen could opt to select the same starting lineup.

However, Sittard will be forced into at least one alteration with Dogan Erdogan being dismissed during the showdown with PSV.

Velazquez could opt to drop Oguzhan Ozyakup into a deeper midfield position and introduce an extra attacking player, with Umaro Embalo, Tijjani Noslin and Paul Gladon all options in the final third.

Stipe Radic impressed on his debut last time out and should retain his spot in the middle of the backline.

AZ Alkmaar possible starting lineup:

Verhulst; Sugawara, Hatzidiakos, Beukema, Kerkez; Clasie, Reijnders; Odgaard, Wit, Karlsson; Pavlidis

Fortuna Sittard possible starting lineup:

Pandur, Pinto, Radic, Guth, Navarro; Vita, Ozyakup, Duarte, Cordoba; Yilmaz, Gladon

We say: AZ Alkmaar 3-1 Fortuna Sittard

On the back of holding PSV, Sittard will have every confidence that they can do the same with AZ. However, sense an opportunity to capitalise on Feyenoord and Ajax playing each other this weekend, we are backing the home side to run out convincing winners.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.