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AZ Alkmaar
Eredivisie | Gameweek 17
Jan 22, 2023 at 3.45pm UK
AFAS Stadion, Alkmaar
Fortuna Sittard

AZ
3 - 1
Sittard

de Wit (4'), Navarro (24' og.), Pavlidis (56')
Vanheusden (41')
FT(HT: 2-1)
Yilmaz (11' pen.)

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

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Eredivisie clash between AZ Alkmaar and Fortuna Sittard, including predictions, team news and possible 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

AZ Alkmaar's manager Pascal Jansen applauds on October 13, 2022© Reuters

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.

AZ Alkmaar Eredivisie form:


AZ Alkmaar form (all competitions):


Fortuna Sittard Eredivisie form:


Team News

Australia's Mathew Ryan during the warm up before the match in September 2022© Reuters

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


SM words green background

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.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a home win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home Win:data


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Written by
Darren Plant

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Game History

How you voted: AZ vs Sittard

AZ Alkmaar
95.8%
Draw
4.2%
Fortuna Sittard
0.0%
24
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6AZ AlkmaarAZ1582528161226
7NAC BredaNAC Breda157171723-622
8Go Ahead Eagles156362523221
9Fortuna SittardSittard155461721-419
10Heerenveen155371628-1218
11NECNijmegen155192119216
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13PEC Zwolle154471524-916
14Groningen154471424-1016
15Heracles153571628-1214
16Sparta RotterdamSparta152581323-1011
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