Eredivisie | Gameweek 14

Dec 1, 2024 at 1.30pm UK

AFAS Stadion

AZvs.Heracles

Match preview

After a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Willem II just before the international break, AZ Alkmaar got back on track with a win against Sparta Rotterdam on Sunday.

Maarten Martens's team took the lead early on thanks to Peer Koopmeiners, but Tobias Lauritsen equalised shortly after. With just over 15 minutes of normal time remaining, Sven Mijnans scored the winning goal.

The Cheeseheads started strongly in their Europa League clash against Galatasaray on Thursday, with mijnans scoring the opening goal in the second minute. However, they had to settle for a 1-1 draw after Victor Osimhen equalised.

AZ have had a tough run recently, with just two wins from their last 11 matches across all competitions. This has left them well off the pace on the domestic and continental fronts, currently sitting sixth in the Eredivisie table, and their Europa League knockout hopes are hanging in the balance.

After two home games in a row, Sunday's hosts will try to get back on the winning track in front of their fans before a big match against Ajax in seven days.

Heracles drew 2-2 for the first time since mid-September in a thrilling match against RKC Waalwijk on Saturday.

Erwin van de Looi's team were 1-0 and 2-1 up through Luka Kulenovic and Jizz Hornkamp, but Richard van der Venne and Oskar Zawada equalised on both occasions to force a share of the spoils in Almelo.

Since they beat Winterswijk 1-0 in the KNVB Beker to finish October on a high, the Heraclieden have had a mixed run in the league, winning, drawing and losing their last three matches. That puts them 13th in the standings with 13 points from as many games.

Heracles have a tough run of matches coming up. They're visiting AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord, and then they're playing Fortuna Sittard. If they want to avoid dropping into the relegation zone, they'll need to get their act together.

With more goals conceded than any other team outside the bottom two, Sunday's visitors need to tighten up defensively if they want to turn things around, with just over a third of the campaign played already.

Recent Performance

AZ Alkmaar Eredivisie form:LLDLLW

AZ Alkmaar form (all competitions):DLWLWD

Heracles Eredivisie form:LLLWLD

Team News

Bruno Martins Indi is good to go after his muscle problem, but Ibrahim Sadiq and Lewis Schouten are still out with the same issue.

Dutch goalkeeper Sem Westerveld is still out with a long-term knee injury, so he and Kristijan Belic won't be available this Sunday.

Twenty-four-year-old Sven Mijnans will be looking to score for the third game in a row for the home side, which shows how important he is at the moment.

Nikolai Laursen won't be playing for Heracles as he's still out with a knee problem.

Twenty-three-year-old Sava-Arangel Cestic will also miss Sunday's game due to a long-term ankle problem, and Stijn Bultman will also be out of action for the hosts.

Possible starting lineup

AZ Alkmaar possible starting lineup:

Zoe; Penetra, Wolfe, Goes, Kasius; Kwakman, Koopmeiners; Meerdink, Mijnans, Smit; Parrott

Heracles possible starting lineup:

De Keijzer; Benita, Mirani, Meski, Roosken; Van der Venne, Roemeratoe, Van de Loo; Margaret, Zawada