- AZ Alkmaar are 6th in Eredivisie 2024/2025 with 50 points from 31 matches.
- FC Groningen are 9th in Eredivisie 2024/2025 with 38 points from 31 matches.
- AZ Alkmaar have won two and drawn one of the last three meetings.
AZ Alkmaar will be a tough nut to crack for FC Groningen when the two Dutch clubs face off in a late-season Eredivisie 2024-2025 clash on Sunday. Maarten Martens has overseen a possession-based, technical brand of football at AZ since taking over in January 2024. Vangelis Pavlidis is a creative force and Troy Parrott is the main man up front with 14 goals in 28 Eredivisie 2024/2025 appearances, but the Irishman can be a constant threat to any defence. Groningen have a more direct, counter-attacking style of play and have been disciplined in defence under Dick Lukkien, who has been head coach since July 2023. Daniel van Kaam is the engine in midfield, driving the ball forward and then providing a platform for the counter-attack when Groningen are under pressure.
The visitors are on a two-game winning streak after thumping Heracles 4-1 and RKC Waalwijk 6-1, but both of those games were at home. Groningen have won only two of their 15 away games in Eredivisie 2024/2025, losing ten, and their average of 0.87 goals scored and 2.27 goals conceded on the road is not good enough. AZ are 1.64 favourites for this game, which seems about right given Groningen are 5.70 underdogs, but the artificial pitch at AFAS Stadion could suit the hosts and make life even tougher for the visitors. AZ have won seven, drawn three and lost five of their 15 home games in Eredivisie 2024/2025, but are winless in their last three at the venue. Recent form has been mixed with one win, one draw and three defeats in the last five in all competitions, but a 1-1 home draw with Go Ahead Eagles (after a penalty shootout loss) and another 1-1 home draw with NAC Breda were followed by a 3-0 away win over Go Ahead Eagles. Jorg Schreuders is the top scorer for Groningen with five goals from midfield in 29 games, but Parrott and Pavlidis are a class above him. AZ won the last meeting 3-1 at home in the KNVB Cup 2024/2025 and should have too much quality to lose this one. Over 2.5 goals could be a value bet given the visitors’ leaky away defence.
