Gertjan Verbeek’s side would be gunning to make amends to their humiliating 5-1 defeat at the hands of PSV Eindhoven when they take on Ruud Brood’s men on Sunday.
On Eredivisie match-day five, AZ Alkmaar will battle against Roda JC Kerkrade at AFAS Stadion on Sunday, September 16.
AZ Alkmaar
The Alkmaar outfit are heading into the game on the back of an embarrassing 5-1 loss at the hands of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/PSV-c40281 Eindhoven at Philips Stadion on September 2 before the international break.
PSV asserted their authority right from the opening whistle, and took the lead in the 11th minute through Tim Matavz. However, Adam Maher managed to restore parity a minute before the half-hour mark.
After the half-time break, the Eindhoven giants played brilliantly, and goals from http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Atiba-Hutchinson-c6889 claimed an easy win for PSV.
AZ finished fourth on the league table last term, and have set their sights on winning the Eredivisie title at the end of the ongoing campaign. However, they have not made a bright start to the new season.
Occupying the 10th spot on the Eredivisie table, the Alkmaar outfit have an overall record of 4 played, 1 won, 2 drawn and 1 lost.
Gertjan Verbeek, the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/AZ-c38571 head coach, would be hoping that his side manages to achieve a good result in the upcoming game, though, the Dutch trainer knows that it will not be an easy task to beat the confidence Kerkrade outfit.
Roda JC Kerkrade
De Koempels cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win over http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Adil-Ramzi-c3640 secured
all three points in favour of the Kerkrade outfit.
After finishing 10th on the Eredivisie table last season, De Limburgers have set their sights on a better finish at the end of the ongoing campaign.
Occupying the 11th spot on the league table, the Kerkrade outfit have an overall record of 4 played, 1 won, 1 drawn and 2 lost.
Ruud Brood, De Koempels head coach, has expressed confidence that his side has the quality to dismantle the Alkmaar outfit, and claim all three points at the end of 90 minutes.
“AZ have also yet to find their rhythm. They have only won once, just like us. However, I think, they are a better team on paper”, Brood was quoted as saying to the Dutch media.
Head-to-Head statistics
AZ have achieved better results against Roda JC in their recent head-to-head meetings. The Alkmaar outfit managed to win three of their last five matches against De Koempels, while the Kerkrade outfit managed to bag all three points
in the remaining two games.
Players to watch
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jozy-Altidore-c19634 – AZ Alkmaar
The American ace has started the 2012/13 season in fine form, netting four goals in four games, and would be looking to add more to his tally in the upcoming fixture at home.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sanharib-Malki-c32495 – Roda JC Kerkrade
The Syrian international threatened every opposition with his blistering pace and his knack to score goals consistently throughout the 2011/12 season. Should he perform at his best in this fixture, De Koempels have a bright chance
of securing a good result.
Prediction
It will be an intriguing battle between the two sides, who have yet to find their rhythm. AZ will enjoy the home advantage, and would be the favourites to emerge victorious.
Predicted score-line: AZ 2-1 http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Roda-JC-c40375.
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