http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Cabral-c8232 to shine – Dutch Eredivisie preview
It will be a thrilling encounter when AZ Alkmaar host http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Feyenoord-c39258 Rotterdam at AFAS Stadion on Sunday, September 25.
AZ Alkmaar
AZ come into this match on the back of a hard fought 4-2 win against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Groningen-c39119 in the KNVB beker Cup.
The outfit from Alkmaar also defeated RK Waalwijk 2-1 last week in what promised to be an intriguing battle. After securing all three points against the newly promoted side, AZ moved up in the league table to the second spot.
AZ are yet to taste a defeat in front of their home crowd this season, winning all three encounters at home. They have an overall record of 6 played, 5 won and 1 lost.
Gertjan Verbeek, the Alkmaar outfit manager, will be hoping that his troops stage a good show at home and keep their good record intact.
Feyenoord Rotterdam
The Rotterdam giants managed to cruise to an easy 4-0 win over AGOVV Apeldoorn in the Dutch Cup. De Stadionclub staged an impressive show and controlled the game efficiently to emerge victorious by the end of the match.
Apart from their impressive Cup win, the Stadiumclub have also performed impressively in the league encounters this season. Currently placed fourth in the Eredivisie table, they have an overall record of 6 played, 4 won and 2 drawn.
Ronald Koeman, De Stadionclub head coach, revealed that he would be delighted if his troops manage to secure maximum points in the upcoming encounter.
“If we manage to get all three points in Alkmaar, then my smile would be a bit larger than normal”, Koeman said.
Head-to-Head statistics
Feyenoord have not managed to secure all three points even once in their last five encounters against the outfit from Alkmaar. AZ emerged victorious in three matches while the remaining two fixtures ended in stalemates.
Players to watch
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Rasmus-Elm-c30628 – AZ Alkmaar
The 23-year-old has demonstrated his skills in the midfield impressively this season. Although the youngster plays in a box-to-box midfielder role, his attacking mentality and creativity in the centre of the pitch has been a real highlight.
The Swedish International has scored four goals while also providing two assists in the last six appearances. He will be looking to add more to his tally in this encounter and lead his side to victory.
Jerson Cabral – Feyenoord Rotterdam
Although the left-winger made his debut at De Kuip Stadion only last season, his good performances have earned him a regular starting berth.
The 20-year-old has started the 2011/12 campaign impressively. In six matches, the youngster has netted three goals and has provided four assists. His pace and positioning on the right flank coupled with his ability to send pinpoint crosses into the box
makes him a real threat for any opposition.
Prediction
AZ are going through an impressive phase in the Dutch top flight, and Feyenoord are also looking a much better side than last season.
The outfit from Alkmaar are yet to lose a match while playing in front of their home crowd. On the other hand, the Rotterdam giants have managed to secure a point or more in every match this season.
With both sides in good form, the match will end in a hard fought 3-3 stalemate with both sides sharing a point each.
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