AZ Alkmaar are unbeaten in eight straight matches against Eredivisie rival FC Twente heading into their Saturday clash at the AFAS Stadion.
The Cheeseheads have won seven of those eight matches against FC Twente with five straight ending in a victory for Saturday’s home team. FC Twente will hope to end their terrible streak against the Eredivisie’s second-placed team, but that will be easier said than down.
FC Twente are in their first season back in the Eredivisie after spending two years in the second division. Manager Gonzalo Garcia has led his side to 15 points from 33 possible.
Garcia has FC Twente playing well but a recent four-match losing streak has caused a blip in their season. FC Twente have won two straight matches in all competitions and are getting back to their best.
They defeated FC Emmen in the league 4-1 last time out before claiming a mid-week KNVB Cup victory over De Treffers.
AZ Alkmaar head into the weekend just six points off of Ajax. They lost ground with a draw and loss to Willem II and Heerenveen, respectively. Last weekend’s 4-0 win over PSV Eindhoven reaffirmed AZ Alkmaar’s pursuit of the Eredivisie title, however.
Manager Arne Slot has led the Cheeseheads to 10 points from 15 at the AFAS Stadion. They have tallied 13 goals and conceded just five at their own ground.
FC Twente have lost back to back away fixtures. They have conceded seven goals and scored twice in their last two away matches. FC Twente have conceded 10 goals on their travels while posting a –2-goal difference.
Garcia’s team may be midtable but goals have been plentiful for the Reds. Haris Vuckic and Aitor Cantalapiedra have combined to score 12 goals. The duo has scored 57% of FC Twente’s goals this term.
Not to be outdone, AZ Alkmaar’s Oussama Idriss and Myron Boadu have also bagged a combined 12 goals. They have been the Cheeseheads’ most proficient scorers with 48% of the team’s scores.
These teams haven’t met in the Eredivisie since the 2017-18 season. That year saw FC Twente relegated from the top flight. AZ Alkmaaer won all three meetings that season (two league, one cup) by a combined score of 10-0.
AZ Alkmaar will continue their great league play on Saturday with another win over FC Twente. The Dutch teams will combine for over 2.5 goals scored as both sides find the back of the net.