After a thumping 4-0 defeat to Manchester United in the Europa League, AZ Alkmaar will be returning home as they host League leaders Ajax in what should prove to be a pivotal contest in the grand scheme of things. Ajax recently had to endure shocking home defeats to Willem II in the league followed by Valencia which crashed them out of the Champions League in mid-week. Erik ten Hag will be desperate to get back to winning ways as AZ Alkmaar would look to pounce on the opportunity in front of them.
Ajax currently occupies the top spot in the Dutch League with 41 points, in contrast to Alkmaar who has 38 points to their tally.
Match Details
Date- Sunday, December 15 | Kick-Off0 9:15 PM (IST) | Venue- AFAS Stadion
AZ Alkmaar
Pantelis Hatzidiakos and Ron Vlaar are ruled out due to injuries for the hosts. With that being said, Alkmaar should go with four at the back. Wijndal, Wuytens, Clasie and Svensson are expected to fill in at defence. Idrissi, Boadu and Stengs should be the attacking front three, while, Koopmeiners and Midtsjo could accommodate midfield.
Ajax
Zakaria Labyad and Quincy Promes are on the sidelines due to injury which should give further minutes for Noa Lang and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar in the lineup. David Neres is a long term absentee for the defending Dutch champions. Hakim Ziyech, van der Beek and Tadic should be leading the attack for the visitors.
AZ Alkmaar- Bizot; Wijndal, Wuytens, Clasie, Svensson; Wit, Koopmeiners, Midtsjo; Idrissi, Boadu, Stengs
Ajax- Onana; Mazraoui, Veltman, Blind, Tagliafico; Alvarez, Martinez; Ziyech, v d Beek, Lang, Tadic
Oussama Idrissi will be the main man in attack for AZ Alkmaar and can cause a few problems to the Ajax defence. Idrissi has nine goals and two assists from 16 league games this season.
Dusan Tadic has been quality for Ajax this season. The Croatian international has seven goals and 12 assists from 16 games in the league this season.
Grand League Tips
18-year-old Myron Boadu has been pivotal for AZ Alkmaar upfront. Boadu has 10 goals and five assists, with a pass accuracy of 85% from 15 games in the league so far.
Donny van de Beek’s anchor role in midfield plays a vital role in the transition from defence to attack for Ajax. The Dutchman has five goals and four assists from 14 league games this season.
Team 1
Goalkeeper- M Bizot
Defenders- N Mazraoui, J Svensson, S Wuytens
Midfielders- N Lang, D v d Beek, H Ziyech, F Midtsjo, O Idrissi
Forwards- D Tadic, M Boadu (C)
Team 2
Goalkeeper- M Bizot
Defenders- N Mazraoui, J Svensson, S Wuytens, D Blind
Midfielders- N Lang, D v d Beek, H Ziyech, O Idrissi
Forwards- D Tadic (C), M Boadu
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