FC Twente Enschede vs. AZ Alkmaar: Janko and Martens to shine – Dutch Eredivisie preview
It will be a breathtaking encounter between FC Twente Enschede and AZ Alkmaar, when the two sides lock horns for supremacy at De Grolsch Veste on Saturday, August 13.
FC Twente Enschede
Expectations are soaring in Enschede following FC Twente’s success in the last couple of seasons. The Tukkers managed to lift their maiden Eredivisie title in the 2009/10 campaign, and lost out to Ajax Amsterdam on the final day of the 2010/11 season. They
finished second in the league table, much to their dismay. However, they managed to lift the KNVB beker Cup.
The Tukkers would be brimming with confidence after starting their 2011/12 Eredivisie campaign with a 1-0 win over http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/NAC-Breda-c39983 at Rat Verlegh Stadion last week. Although the outfit from Enschede staged an erratic show on the pitch, they still managed to secure
all three points by the end of the 90 minutes.
Co Adriaanse, the Tukkers head coach, would be hoping that his troops perform better in the upcoming encounter and bag maximum points in front of their home crowd.
AZ Alkmaar
AZ have been struggling to perform highly in Dutch top tier in the last couple of seasons but have set their sights on competing for the title in the 2011/12 campaign.
The outfit from Alkmaar would be pleased with their efforts as they started the new season with a commanding 3-1 win against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/PSV-c40281 Eindhoven at AFAS Stadion last week. AZ displayed an entertaining brand of football in front of their home crowd, outclassing
the visitors in every department on the field and bagging maximum points.
Gertjan Verbeek, the AZ manager, would be hoping that his troops continue to perform impressively on the pitch and enhance their chances of winning silverware by the end of the campaign.
Head-to-Head statistics
The Tukkers would be looking to avenge their last season’s defeats, when they failed to secure even a single point in both encounters against AZ. The Alkmaar outfit have won three of their last five encounters against the Tukkers while the Enschede giants
managed to secure all three points in the remaining two matches.
Players to watch
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Marc-Janko-c23484 – FC Twente Enschede
The 28-year-old will lead the Tukkers’ attack pack in the upcoming encounter. The tall striker will be putting constant pressure on the visitors with his long-range efforts. Furthermore, his ability to win aerial battles makes him a major threat for any
opposition.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/AZ-c38571 Alkmaar
The Belgian International has been performing impressively for the Alkmaar outfit since his arrival at AFAS Stadion in the summer of 2006. The left-winger’s precise passing ability and perfect crosses make him a constant menace on the left flank.
Furthermore, the 27-year-old always tends to cut in and try his luck from range, which makes him a key player in the AZ squad.
Prediction
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Twente-c39233 have not managed to secure all three points against AZ in their last three encounters. Furthermore, their performance in the opening encounter against NAC last week puts AZ as the clear favourites to win the match. It will be a hard fought 2-1
win for the visitors.
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