Az Alkmaar vs Almere city

As the Eredivisie season draws to a close, AZ Alkmaar prepares to host already-relegated Almere City at the AFAS Stadion in what promises to be a one-sided affair. The home side, having secured a place in the European playoffs, will be eager to finish their domestic campaign on a high note by securing a fourth consecutive victory. With 56 points accumulated from 16 wins, eight draws, and nine defeats, AZ currently occupies fifth place in the league standings, while Almere City languishes at the very bottom with a meager 21 points—a reflection of their struggles throughout a difficult season.  

Despite a late-season resurgence, AZ Alkmaar ultimately fell short of automatic European qualification, finishing seven points behind fourth-placed FC Utrecht. Their hopes of a higher finish were derailed by a dismal run of form between March and early April, during which they failed to win any of their eight matches across all competitions. This frustrating period included a heartbreaking Europa League quarter-final exit at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur, where a 3-1 defeat in London sealed their elimination with a 3-2 aggregate scoreline. The disappointment was compounded by a penalty shootout loss in the KNVB Beker final against Go Ahead Eagles, denying them an alternative route to continental competition.  

Their league form during this stretch was equally inconsistent, with four draws and two defeats further denting their ambitions. However, AZ has since rediscovered their attacking prowess, scoring three goals in each of their last three Eredivisie matches. This resurgence began with a commanding 3-0 victory over Go Ahead Eagles—a measure of revenge for their cup final defeat—followed by another emphatic 3-0 win against Groningen. Most recently, they edged out Twente in a thrilling 3-2 encounter, showcasing their renewed confidence in front of goal.  

Under the guidance of manager Maarten Martens, AZ now has the opportunity to secure four consecutive league victories for only the second time this season—a feat they previously achieved between late November and late December with a five-match winning streak. With momentum on their side and the backing of their home supporters, they will be strong favorites against an Almere City side they narrowly defeated 1-0 in the reverse fixture earlier in the campaign. AZ’s home record this season—eight wins in 16 league matches at the AFAS Stadion—further strengthens their case for a comfortable victory.  

In stark contrast, Almere City’s season has been nothing short of disastrous. Relegation was confirmed weeks ago, and their performances on the road have been particularly dismal, with 10 losses in 16 away league matches and just 10 points collected from those fixtures—one of the worst traveling records in the division. Their campaign has been defined by prolonged winless runs, with only fleeting moments of encouragement. Their four league victories have been scattered across the season, offering little more than brief respites in an otherwise dismal year.  

Their current winless streak now stands at six matches (three draws, three losses), following last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Fortuna Sittard. Junior Kadile’s early goal provided a glimmer of hope, but their inability to hold onto the lead—conceding an equalizer in the 79th minute—summed up their struggles. Scoring goals has been a persistent issue for Almere, who have failed to find the net in 18 of their 33 league matches this season—a damning statistic that underscores their attacking inefficiency.  

As they prepare for life in the second tier, head coach Jeroen Rijsdijk faces a monumental task in rebuilding the squad’s confidence and addressing their glaring deficiencies in the final third. Without significant improvements, they risk ending their Eredivisie tenure with a whimper, offering little resistance against an AZ side determined to finish the season in style.