AZ Alkmaar vs Groningen Prediction & Tips | Eredivisie | FootballTips.app

AZ Alkmaar will look to arrest their recent slump when they welcome FC Groningen to the AFAS Stadion on Sunday afternoon. The hosts occupy fifth place in the Eredivisie with 20 points from 11 matches, while Groningen sit eighth with 15 points, leaving both sides eager to return to winning ways.

AZ suffered a frustrating 2-1 Europa League defeat against Juventus on Thursday, ending their 17-match unbeaten European home run. Lee-Roy Echteld’s side dominated possession and generated 2.18 expected goals but were unable to overturn a two-goal deficit, extending their losing streak across all competitions to three matches.

Their domestic form has also deteriorated, with a 1-0 defeat at Ajax continuing a difficult spell since the international break. AZ have nevertheless collected ten points from five home league fixtures (W3, D1, L1), while their defensive record of 13 goals conceded remains among the Eredivisie’s more respectable figures.

Groningen arrive following a dramatic 3-2 home defeat against Sparta Rotterdam, despite controlling 60% possession and registering nine shots on target. Dick Lukkien’s side have now lost three consecutive competitive matches, with defensive lapses undermining an attack that has scored 26 league goals.

The visitors have performed reasonably well away from home, collecting eight points from five Eredivisie trips (W2, D2, L1). However, Groningen have conceded 24 goals in 11 matches and failed to keep a clean sheet in their last five outings, although their 11 goals across the same period demonstrate their attacking threat.

AZ hold the historical advantage in this fixture, winning 34 of the previous 75 Eredivisie meetings compared with Groningen’s 20, alongside 21 draws. None of the last four encounters ended level, and with both sides experiencing defensive difficulties, another decisive result could be on the cards.