'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Almere welcome AZ Alkmaar to Yanmar Stadion for an Eredivisie matchday one clash on Saturday. The hosts are coming into the game on the back of a 1-0 victory over Waalwijk in a friendly last week.
Kornelius Hansen's 37th-minute strike proved to be the difference between the two sides.
De Zwarte Schapen have not been in competitive action since May 2024 when they ended last season with a 4-1 defeat at home to Nijmegen.
AZ, meanwhile, claimed a 1-0 victory over Stoke City in a friendly. Troy Parrott gave them the lead in the 47th minute with both sides ending the game with 10 men.
De Kaasboeren's last league game saw them share the spoils in a 3-3 draw at home to Utrecht to finish the season in fourth spot. Almere ended 13th in the table.
Almere vs AZ Alkmaar Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- AZ Alkmaar have two wins and one draw in three previous head-to-head games.
- Their most recent clash came in February 2024 when the two sides canceled each other out in a goalless stalemate.
- Almere lost their last three pre-season friendlies, having lost the opening four.
- AZ were unbeaten in eight pre-season friendlies, winning six games in this run.
- Nine of Almere's last 11 league games have seen both sides find the back of the net.
- Nine of AZ's last 10 league games, including each of the last seven, have produced three goals or more.
Almere vs AZ Alkmaar Prediction
Almere City did not win any of their final 11 games of last season (seven draws). They ended their pre-season preparations on a high after a poor start.
AZ, for their part, carried their impressive end to last season into pre-season. They were unbeaten in their final five games of last season and will fancy their chances of keeping this run going against a side they are yet to lose against.
The visitors are heavy favorites to claim maximum points and are likely to make a quick start to the game. We are backing Maarten Martens' side to claim maximum points with a comfortable victory and goals at both ends.
Prediction: Almere 1-3 AZ Alkmaar
Almere vs AZ Alkmaar Betting Tips
Tip 1 - AZ Alkmaar to win
Tip 2 - Both teams to score
Tip 3 - Over 2.5 goals
Tip 4 - AZ to score over 1.5 goals
