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AZ Alkmaar will host Utrecht at the AFAS Stadion on Sunday in the final round of the 2023-24 Eredivisie campaign. The home side have enjoyed a strong run of results in the second half of the season and now sit fourth in the table with 64 points from 33 matches.
They beat Go Ahead Eagles 3-0 in their last match, with three different players getting on the scoresheet including Ibrahim Sadiq, who netted his first away goal for the club. AZ will secure a spot in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers with a win on Sunday provided Twente lose elsewhere.
Utrecht have also performed well this season and are now looking forward to the Conference League playoffs. They were beaten 1-0 by Sparta Rotterdam in their final home game of the regular season last weekend. They perhaps deserved more from the game but failed to convert their chances.
AZ Alkmaar vs Utrecht Head-to-Head
There have been 91 meetings between AZ and Utrecht. The hosts have won 42 of those games while the visitors have won 32 times.
There have been 17 draws between the two teams including their most recent matchup which ended 1-1.
AZ Form Guide in Eredivisie: W-W-W-W-L
Utrecht Form Guide in Eredivisie: L-W-D-W-W
AZ Alkmaar vs Utrecht Team News
AZ Alkmaar
Jordy Clasie is injured and is not expected to feature for the visitors this weekend alongside Mayckel Lahdo, who has been out of action since February.
Injured: Jordy Clasie, Mayckel Lahdo
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Utrecht
Manager Ron Jans will be unable to count on Anthony Descotte, Mike van der Hoorn and Tim Handwerker on Sunday as the trio are recovering from injuries.
Injured: Tim Handwerker, Mike van der Hoorn, Anthony Descotte
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
AZ Alkmaar vs Utrecht Predicted XI
AZ Alkmaar Predicted XI (4-3-3): Mathew Ryan; Yukinari Sugarawa, Alexandre Penetra, Riechedly Bazoer, Mees de Wit; Danny de Wit, Kristijan Belic, Sven Mijnans; Ibrahim Sadiq, Ruben van Bommel, Vangelis Pavlidis
Utrecht Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Vasilis Barkas; Hidde ter Avest, Mark van der Maarel, Nick Viergever, Souffian El Karouani; Ryan Flamingo, Oscar Fraulo; Taylor Booth, Victor Jensen, Isac Lidberg; Sam Lammers
AZ Alkmaar vs Utrecht Prediction
AZ are on a four-game winning streak and have won seven of their last nine matches. They have won their last five games at the AFAS Stadion and will be looking forward to the weekend clash.
Utrecht's latest result ended a five-game unbeaten streak and they will be looking to bounce back here. They have, however, struggled for results on the road all year and could see defeat here.
Prediction: AZ Alkmaar 2-1 Utrecht
