Preview:AZ Alkmaar vs. FC Utrecht - prediction, team news, lineups

AZ Alkmaar will be looking to pick up a fifth straight victory when they entertain the challenge of FC Utrecht at the AFAS Stadion on Sunday.

The visitors, meanwhile, make the journey this weekend aiming to get back to winning ways having seen their five-game unbeaten run end last time out.

Match preview

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AZ Alkmaar ran out emphatic 3-0 winners against Go Ahead Eagles when the sides went head-to-head at De Adelaarshorst on Saturday afternoon.

Rene Neelissen's men opened the scoring through Ibrahim Sadiq before strikes from Sven Mijnans and Myron van Brederode put the result beyond doubt.

Consequently, De Kaasboeren remain fourth in the Eredivisie table, two points behind FC Twente in the race for the Champions League playoff spot.

Awaiting them next is the task of facing off against an opposing outfit who have come out on top in just one of the last six editions of this fixture.

Currently on a run of five straight home victories, Sunday's hosts are flying in front of their fans at the moment and will certainly take some stopping here.

FC Utrecht were beaten for the first time in six matches in a 1-0 defeat against Sparta Rotterdam at Stadion Galgenwaard on Sunday.

Camiel Neghli broke the deadlock midway through the second half and that proved to be the all-important moment that put Ron Jans's men to the sword.

With 49 points amassed from their 33 league outings so far, De Domstedelingen sit seventh in the standings and are on course for a ninth straight top-seven finish.

Having let in eight goals across their last three matches on the road, Sunday's visitors will need to keep things tight at the back to stand any chance of securing a positive result.

Team News

Bruno Martins Indi is ruled out for AZ Alkmaar with a back injury, while fellow Dutchman Sem Westerveld continues to battle with a damaged knee.

This weekend's hosts are also set to be without the services of Jordy Clasie, who is sidelined with a groin problem but is closing in on a return to action.

Forward Vangelis Pavlidis has directly contributed to five goals in his last five matches and is definitely one to keep an eye on here.

Tim Handwerker and Kevin Gadellaa are both ruled out with respective knee injuries, and neither will play any part for Utrecht in this one.

Twenty-year-old Anthony Descotte is still a considerable way off making his comeback having not featured for the visitors since mid-April due to injury.

AZ Alkmaar possible starting lineup: Ryan; M. De Wit, Bazoer, Penetra, Sugawara; Mijnans, Belic, D. De Wit; Van Bommel, Pavlidis, Sadiq

FC Utrecht possible starting lineup: Barkas; Ter Avest, Van der Maarel, Viergever, El Karouani; Flamingo, Fraulo; Booth, Jensen, Lidberg; Lammers

We say: AZ Alkmaar 2-1 FC Utrecht

AZ have put together a strong end to the season and will be confident of rounding off on a high. We can see the home side getting the job done at the sound of the final whistle.

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