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Willem II
Eredivisie | Gameweek 28
Apr 3, 2021 at 7pm UK
Koning Willem II Stadion
AZ Alkmaar

Willem II
0 - 1
AZ


Llonch (37'), Saddiki (74')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Preview: Willem II vs. AZ Alkmaar - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Eredivisie clash between Willem II and AZ Alkmaar, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Having just moved out of the bottom three, Willem II play host to AZ Alkmaar on Saturday aiming to pull further away from danger.

The visitors have won six of their last seven league games, and as a result, they are bearing down on second place in the Eredivisie table.


Match preview

AZ Alkmaar's Albert Guomundsson celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates in October 2020© Reuters

AZ Alkmaar continued their resurgence of late with a 2-0 triumph over PSV Eindhoven at the AFAS Stadion a fortnight ago.

Goals in either half from Jesper Karlsson and Teun Koopmeiners sealed the deal for Pascal Jansen's men, who moved level on points with their opponents courtesy of that win.

The Cheeseheads would move into second place for the time being at least should they manage to avoid defeat in Tilburg this weekend.

Only Ajax have scored more league goals this term than AZ, so it is no surprise that Saturday's hosts were hit for five in December's reverse fixture.

However, recent meetings between the teams have been highly competitive, with the last 18 clashes yielding seven wins apiece and four stalemates.

Willem II claimed a crucial point in their quest for survival as they held Vitesse to a goalless draw at the GelreDome two Sundays ago.

Zeljko Petrovic's men were put under immense pressure by their hosts on the day, but they held firm to ensure a share of the spoils in Arnhem.

The Tricolores are on a five-game unbeaten streak which comes off the back of 5-0 and 6-0 defeats versus Feyenoord and Utrecht respectively prior to that.

That run of form has seen them exit the drop zone, albeit on goal difference, and there is still work to do if they are to extend their seven-year stay in the top flight.

Willem II Eredivisie form:
  • L
  • D
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • D

AZ Alkmaar Eredivisie form:
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • W



Team News

AZ Alkmaar players look dejected against Real Sociedad on November 5, 2020© Reuters

Dries Saddiki remains out for the game as he steps up his recovery from a muscle tear which he sustained over nine weeks ago.

Joining him on the list of absentees for the home team is Miquel Nelom, whose season has been prematurely ended with a knee injury.

Freek Heerkens will also miss the game as he remains out with a thigh problem, through which he has missed his side's last 10 fixtures.

Pantelis Chatzidiakos is expected to play no part in this one as the AZ defender remains sidelined with a knee problem.

Rens van der Wacht's involvement is still hanging in the balance as he hopes to shake off a knock just in time to play a part in the clash.

Willem II possible starting lineup:
Brondeel; Kohn, Peters, Holmen, Owusu; Kohlert, Selahi, Spieringhs, Nunnely; Pavlidis, Okyere Wriedt

AZ Alkmaar possible starting lineup:
Bizot; Wijndal, Martins Indi, Letschert, Svensson; Stengs, Koopmeiners, Midtsjo; Karlsson, Boadu, Gudmundsson


SM words green background

We say: Willem II 0-2 AZ Alkmaar

AZ Alkmaar have the wind in their sails heading into this one, but Willem II have also excelled of late. We are backing the away side to claim a relatively comfortable victory in this one and keep their good run going.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 2.5 goals 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.Over 2.5:data



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Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a AZ Alkmaar win with a probability of 69.06%. A draw had a probability of 17.1% and a win for Willem II had a probability of 13.87%.

The most likely scoreline for an AZ Alkmaar win was 1-2 with a probability of 9.44%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 0-2 (9.05%) and 1-3 (7.86%). The likeliest drawn scoreline was 1-1 (7.56%), while for a Willem II win it was 2-1 (3.94%). The actual scoreline of 0-1 was predicted with a 7.2% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted that AZ Alkmaar would win this match.


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Game History

How you voted: Willem II vs AZ

Willem II
0.0%
Draw
33.3%
AZ Alkmaar
66.7%
9
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1PSV EindhovenPSV1312014593636
2FC UtrechtUtrecht12101122121031
3Ajax1292127111629
4Feyenoord1384131131828
5FC Twente1374226121425
6AZ AlkmaarAZ1362525151020
7Go Ahead Eagles135351820-218
8Fortuna SittardSittard135261418-417
9NECNijmegen135172012816
10Willem II134451514116
11NAC BredaNAC Breda135171423-916
12Heerenveen134271326-1314
13Heracles133461425-1113
14PEC Zwolle133371424-1012
15Groningen133371224-1212
16Sparta RotterdamSparta132561320-711
17Almere CityAlmere City13139630-246
18RKC WaalwijkRKC Waalwijk1312101233-215


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