Lasnik and Sigthorsson to shine in Willem II Tilburg versus AZ Alkmaar – Dutch Eredivisie Preview
Dutch Eredivisie week 32 action brings an entertaining battle when Willem II Tilburg will clash with AZ Alkmaar at the Koning http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Willem-II-c40945 Stadion on Saturday, April 23.
Willem II Tilburg
The Tricolores have performed poorly throughout the season, but their form lately has been devastating. The outfit from Tilburg have conceded 17 goals in their last three fixtures. They have won only two of their 31 fixtures this season, both in front of
their home crowd.
Gert Heerkes, the Tricolores manager, has lost hope that his side have any chance of avoid relegation, as his side is currently placed 18th in the league table. Heerkes’ men are a mammoth 23 points adrift from the safety zone. However, they are
only five points behind the last relegation play-offs spot.
The Tricolores have to secure maximum points in their remaining three encounters, if they seek to avoid relegation this season. Otherwise, the Tilburg outfit have to play in the Eerste Divisie next season.
AZ Alkmaar
AZ are coming in to this match on the back of a morale-boosting 3-1 win over http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/ADO-Den-Haag-c38221 in front of their home crowd last week. The outfit from Alkmaar have staged dominant show on the field throughout the ongoing season.
Expectations were pretty soaring in Alkmaar after their side finished fourth in the league table last term. The fans believed that their side would certainly finish in a better place this season and play in the UEFA Champions League, but their hopes were
dashed with some inconsistent performance from their beloved side and superior show from http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Twente-c39233 Enschede.
AZ are currently placed fourth in the league table, trailing the last Champions League spot by a mammoth nine points. With only nine points left to grab in the season, Europe’s primary club competition berth looks far-fetched. However, the Alkmaar outfit
will look to cement their current place in the league table and play in the Europa League group stages next season.
The outfit from Alkmaar have achieved superior results in front of their home crowd regularly, but their irregular performances on the road took away their chances to lift the Eredivisie title this season. They have an overall record of 31 played, 16 won,
8 drawn and 7 lost.
Gertjan Verbeek, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/AZ-c38571 manager, would be looking to bag all three points in this fixture against the relegation contenders and cement their fourth place in the league.
Players to watch
Andreas Lasnik – Willem II Tilburg
The Tricolores have to rely on their leading goal-scorer, Andreas Lasnik, to lead their attack pack in the upcoming encounter. Lasnik has scored seven goals so far and will be looking to add more to his tally. He has to find the back of the net if his side
wants to secure maximum points in this encounter.
Kolbeinn Sigthorsson – AZ Alkmaar
Verbeek has used his leading goal-scorer, Kolbeinn Sigthorsson, in different roles. The prolific striker started for AZ in 16 matches and was substituted in 13 fixtures. He has scored 12 goals for his side. It will be hard for the home side defenders to
tie him down.
Head-to-Head statistics
AZ have remained the superior side in their last five head-to-head encounters against the Tilburg outfit, as the outfit from Alkmaar have won all five encounters convincingly.
Prediction
The Tricolores fans have to pray for a miracle if they want to witness their side secure all three points in this encounter. Otherwise, it will be an easy 3-0 win in favour of AZ.
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