The Amsterdammers would be gunning to avenge after their KNVB beker Cup defeat from January 19 and cannot spill points if they want to keep their title hopes alive.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/AZ-c38571 Alkmaar will resume their Eredivisie action after the winter break when they lock horns against Ajax Amsterdam at AFAS Stadion on Sunday, January 22.
AZ Alkmaar
The Alkmaar outfit would be brimming with confidence after winning 3-2 in their KNVB beker Cup clash against Ajax Amsterdam at Amsterdam Arena on Thursday, January 19. AZ performed brightly throughout the match and deservingly emerged victorious at the end.
Sitting at the summit of the league table, the outfit from Alkmaar are a lone point ahead of the second placed http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/PSV-c40281 Eindhoven. AZ have yet to taste defeat this term while playing in front of their home crowd, winning all of their eight encounters at home.
They have an overall record of 17 played, 12 won, 2 drawn and 3 lost.
Gertjan Verbeek, the AZ head coach, has urged his troops to forget about their earlier Dutch Cup victory and perform at their best to secure all three points.
Ajax Amsterdam
The Amsterdammers were on the receiving end of a 3-2 loss at the hands of AZ in the Dutch cup encounter last Thursday at their home turf. Ajax staged a far from pleasing show in the second-half which cost them the game in the end.
Occupying the fourth spot in the Eredivisie table, the defending Dutch champions are trailing the table-toppers AZ by five points. They have performed erratically at home and their performances on the road have been little better, if any. They have an overall
record of 17 played, 9 won, 6 drawn and 2 lost.
The Amsterdammers head coach, Frank de Boer, has insisted that his side will bounce back from their earlier defeat at the hands of AZ and expressed confidence that his troops will emerge victorious.
Head-to-Head statistics
There is nothing to choose between the two sides in their last five head-to-head encounters, as both have won two matches each while the remaining encounter ended in a stalemate.
Players to watch
Maarten Mertens – AZ Alkmaar
The Belgian ace missed much of the first half of the 2011/12 campaign due to injury, but returned to match action last Thursday in the Dutch Cup clash against Ajax in style. The 27-year-old midfielder scored the equaliser and remained a constant menace for
his opponents in the centre of the pitch. He will be looking to put in another strong display and help his side to claim all three points.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Siem-de-Jong-c33482 – Ajax Amsterdam
The 22-year-old returned to action after remaining on the sidelines for the past couple of months in his side’s Dutch cup clash against AZ. The midfielder-c*m-forward made his comeback in an impressive fashion, as he netted a fine brace. He would be keen
to find the back of the net in the upcoming encounter and secure maximum points for his side.
Prediction
AZ have been phenomenal this term while playing at AFAS Stadion and it seems unlikely that Ajax would be making life difficult for the hosts. The home side would cruise to a comfortable 2-1 victory and cement their place at the top of the table.
Tags: