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AZ Alkmaar will entertain Ajax at AFAS Stadion in the Eredivisie on Sunday. The hosts have seven wins in the league, three fewer than de Godenzonen, and trail them by 10 points in the standings.
De Kaasboeren are unbeaten in their three games after the international break, recording two wins. They played Heracles in their previous league outing last week and registered a 1-0 home win. Substitute Mayckel Lahdo scored the match-winner in the 89th minute, opening his goalscoring account for the season.
The visitors are unbeaten in their last 12 league outings and were held to a 2-2 draw by Utrecht on Wednesday. Each team had an own goal to their name, including Remko Pasveer's 80th-minute mistake, which helped Utrecht equalize.
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AZ Alkmaar vs AFC Ajax Amsterdam Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two teams have squared off 109 times in competitive games. As expected, the visitors have the upper hand in these meetings, recording 65 wins. Alkmaar have got the better of their southern rivals 24 times and 20 games have ended in draws.
- The hosts are unbeaten in their last four league meetings against De Kaasboeren, recording three wins. They secured a league double with an aggregate score of 4-1 last season.
- De Kaasboeren have scored two goals apiece in five of their last seven meetings against the visitors.
- AZ Alkmaar have suffered one loss in their last six Eredivisie home meetings against the visitors while recording four wins.
- Ajax have suffered two losses across all competitions this season with both defeats registered in away games.
- The visitors have outscored De Kaasboeren 31-26 in 14 league games and also have the better defensive record, conceding one goal less (14).
AZ Alkmaar vs AFC Ajax Amsterdam Prediction
De Kaasboeren have been in good touch recently, winning two of their last three games. They kept their first clean sheet since August in their 1-0 win over Heracles last week and will look to build on that form. Nonetheless, they have just one win in their last five Eredivisie home games, while conceding two goals apiece in the other two.
de Godenzonen have scored at least two goals in seven of their last eight games in all competitions. They have suffered one loss in their last 10 away games in all competitions while recording six wins and will look to build on that form. They are winless in their last three away games in this fixture, suffering two defeats while conceding two goals apiece.
Mika Godts is likely to return from an injury spell in this match. Devyne Rensch was injured against NEC last Sunday and is a major doubt. Davy Klaassen and Steven Berghuis were on the bench against Utrecht in midweek and should return to the starting XI.
Both teams have a decent goalscoring record and are expected to play out a high-scoring draw.
Prediction: AZ Alkmaar 2-2 AFC Ajax Amsterdam
AZ Alkmaar vs AFC Ajax Amsterdam Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Draw
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Over 2.5 goals
Tip 3: At least one goal to be scored in the second half - Yes
Tip 4: Both teams to score - Yes
