The Eredivisie action heats up as AZ Alkmaar faces RKC Waalwijk at AFAS Stadion on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. Both teams are entering this match with contrasting fortunes, making for an intriguing encounter.
AZ Alkmaar, currently sitting sixth in the Eredivisie standings, is looking to bounce back after a frustrating 3-3 draw against NEC Nijmegen last Saturday. The team held a two-goal lead with just half an hour remaining but ultimately squandered the advantage, leaving them winless in their last three league games. Despite this recent slump, AZ remains in contention for UEFA Champions League qualification, trailing third-placed Utrecht by seven points.
On the other hand, RKC Waalwijk is struggling at the bottom of the table, having suffered four consecutive defeats, including a 2-0 loss to PEC Zwolle in their last outing. This dismal run has seen them concede nine goals while scoring just once since a 5-0 victory over NAC Breda in February. Currently, Waalwijk sits seven points adrift from the relegation playoff spot, making this match a must-win as they seek to turn their season around.
In terms of squad news, AZ is expected to line up in a 4-3-3 formation, featuring players such as Rome Owusu-Oduro, Denso Kasius, Wouter Goes, Bruno Martins Indi, David Moeller Wolfe, Kristijan Belic, Peer Koopmeiners, Zico Buurmeester, Ernest Poku, Troy Parrott, and Ibrahim Sadiq. However, they will be without several key players, including Sven Mijnans, Sem Westerveld, Seiya Maikuma, Jayden Addai, Mayckel Lahdo, and Lewis Schouten, who are unavailable due to injury.
Conversely, RKC Waalwijk is likely to adopt a 4-4-2 system, with Jeroen Houwen, Aaron Meijers, Redouan El Yaakoubi, Liam van Gelderen, Julian Lelieveld, Tim van de Loo, Yassin Oukili, J. Familia-Castillo, Mohammed Ihattaren, Richonell Margaret, and Oskar Zawada expected to take the field. The only absentee for Waalwijk is Yanick van Osch, who is out due to an unknown injury.
Historically, AZ has dominated this matchup, winning 23 of their last 30 encounters with Waalwijk, while only losing five. They have also won their last four meetings, scoring 12 goals and keeping two clean sheets since a 3-1 defeat in May 2022. Additionally, Waalwijk has struggled on the road this season, remaining winless in 12 of their 13 away matches and holding the worst point tally on the road in the league with just six.
AZ Alkmaar's home form has been strong, with five consecutive wins across all competitions since a 2-1 defeat to Sparta Rotterdam in January. Given Waalwijk's current form and AZ's home advantage, many expect the hosts to extend their winning streak against the visitors.
As the match approaches, predictions lean heavily in favor of AZ, with many analysts forecasting a 3-1 victory for the home side. Betting tips suggest backing AZ to win, with over 2.5 goals likely to be scored, and fewer than five cards expected in the match.
This matchup is not only significant for points but also for the morale of both teams. AZ aims to regain their winning form and climb back into the Champions League spots, while Waalwijk desperately needs a turnaround to avoid slipping further into the relegation zone. As the teams prepare to clash, fans can expect an exciting match filled with action and intensity.
With both teams having much to prove, this Eredivisie clash promises to be a thrilling contest. Will AZ continue their dominance over Waalwijk, or can the visitors pull off a surprising upset? Only time will tell as the teams take to the pitch at AFAS Stadion.
