G.A Eagles Vs AZ

Two weeks after their dramatic KNVB Cup final encounter, Go Ahead Eagles and AZ Alkmaar are set to clash once more this Sunday afternoon at De Adelaarshorst in a pivotal Eredivisie fixture.

Both teams are currently tied at 47 points, and while a top-four finish is out of reach, the battle for positions five through seven remains fiercely contested, with just a single point separating the contenders and four matches left in the season.

Go Ahead Eagles have already etched their names in history this season by clinching their first-ever KNVB Cup on April 21, defeating AZ Alkmaar in a tense penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in regular time. Mats Deijl was instrumental, netting a 98th-minute equalizer from the spot and converting the opening penalty in the shootout . This victory not only ended a 60-year wait for silverware but also secured their spot in the UEFA Europa League for the upcoming season .

Despite this cup success, Paul Simonis's squad has struggled in league play, recording three consecutive draws and remaining winless in their last four matches. Their most recent outing was a goalless draw against relegation-threatened Almere City, a missed opportunity to capitalize on dropped points by AZ and fifth-placed Twente.

Nevertheless, the Deventer-based team boasts one of the Eredivisie's strongest home records, amassing 31 points from 15 matches at De Adelaarshorst this season .

For AZ Alkmaar, the KNVB Cup final loss marked their third consecutive defeat in the competition's final, compounding a challenging period for the club. Prior to the final, AZ suffered back-to-back league losses to Feyenoord and Heracles and had not secured a victory in any competition since a narrow 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in early March.

Following the cup disappointment, Maarten Martens's side managed a 1-1 draw against NAC Breda, salvaged by a stoppage-time goal from Mexx Meerdink . The team is currently enduring a seven-match winless streak in the league, with four of those games played away from home, during which they conceded two or more goals on three occasions .

Go Ahead Eagles will look to Oliver Antman for creative inspiration; the Finnish midfielder has been a standout performer, contributing crucial goals and assists throughout the season . For AZ, Troy Parrott remains a vital attacking threat, leading the team with 14 league goals this season 

Historically, AZ has dominated this fixture, remaining unbeaten in their last 11 encounters with Go Ahead Eagles . However, the psychological edge may now favor the Eagles, buoyed by their recent cup triumph and formidable home form.

As both teams vie for European qualification, this match promises to be a tightly contested affair with significant implications for their respective seasons.