AZ Alkmaar face Telstar on Sunday in an Eredivisie match pitting a side in top form against a team struggling to score. The hosts are unbeaten and sit second, while Telstar occupy thirteenth place with five points.
AZ have won five and drawn one of their first six league games. They have won the last three meetings with Telstar, including a 2-1 victory in the KNVB Cup semi-final last March. Manager Pascal Jansen will be without injured defender Denso Kasius. Ro Daal, with four league goals, is the main threat for a side averaging 58% possession and a passing accuracy of nearly 87%.
Telstar have one win from six matches and drew two of their last three league games. Mike Snoei's side did keep a clean sheet at Heerenveen and suffered a narrow defeat at FC Twente. The numbers show a team with 42% possession and a low open-play cross accuracy of 22.81%. Of their five league goals this season, two have come from the penalty spot. Telstar's full squad for the season is available online.
For AZ, a win is vital in the push for a Champions League spot, as three points would take them to nineteen. Telstar could climb to eight points with a victory, easing pressure near the bottom of the table. The visitors take the pitch with confidence after a run of three wins and one draw in their last five matches. Their next assignment is an away trip to GO Ahead Eagles, who currently sit ninth. Telstar's complete fixtures list is published online.
The match at the AFAS Stadion kicks off on Sunday afternoon. The last result between these sides was a 2-1 win for AZ in the cup.
First reported at onefootball.com
