FC Den Bosch vs AZ Reserves Predictions

Den Bosch will be looking to end a three match losing streak when they square off against Jong AZ at Stadion de Vliert this Friday night. Just a single point separated the sides in the final league table last season, and there’s little between the two teams so far this time around with Den Bosch 13^th and Jong AZ 15^th six matches in. Who will claim a vital three points in s-Hertogenbosch this week to kick start their campaign?

Den Bosch have been mainstays of the Eerste Divisie for 14 seasons now, and recent form suggests that they won’t be challenging to end their lengthy spell in the second tier this term.

Wil Boessen’s side do have two wins on the board from their first six matches, which is enough for now to see them comfortably occupying a mid-table spot, but those successes don’t rate too highly considering the opposition.

A 1-2 win at Volendam on the opening night was a positive start for The Blue White Dragons, but Palingboeren are currently 18^th in the table and winless so far. Likewise, a 0-2 victory at Helmond Sport on match day four can also be marked down based on Sport’s winless start to the campaign and current 17^th place.

A 1-1 draw with reigning champions Jong Ajax here on match day three is arguably Den Bosch’s best result of 2018/19 to date, but that promise has been quickly eroded by back to back league defeats away to Sparta Rotterdam (2-0) and latterly against Almere City (1-4) at Stadion de Vliert last week.

A 1-2 home defeat and early Dutch Cup exit to Heracles in midweek will have done little to boost confident in the Den Bosch ranks, and all evidence so far points to them dropping down the Eerste Divisie standings, as opposed to climbing into the top half.

On the face of it, the visit of Jong AZ this Friday should present this limited Den Bosch side with a good chance to record a third triumph of the campaign, however Martin Haar’s men can perhaps consider themselves a little unlucky to be 15^th in the table with just six points gained from their six league fixtures.

Jong have shown far more promise and potential than they did throughout last season en route to a 17^th place finish, and their three defeats in 2018/19 have been narrow ones against top opposition.

Jong were edged out 2-3 at home to high flying Almere City in an opening round thriller, 2-1 away to current 2^nd placed side Cambuur on match day three and 0-1 at home to defending champs Jong Ajax a fortnight ago.

Draws away to Volendam (1-1) and RKC last week (2-2) weren’t exactly results to shout about; however Jong proved on match day five that they’re dangerous opponents to underestimate, as they overcame current leaders Go Ahead Eagles 3-2 at home.

Current form alone suggests that Jong AZ are massively overpriced here, but our confidence in them is strengthened further by the fact they won 1-3 in this corresponding fixture last season. They also have a potent weapon up front in the shape of Ferdy Druijf, who is joint top scorer in Eerste Divisie with his six goals in six appearances.

Most of the pressure will be on the home side to deliver here after a barren couple of weeks, but we’re backing Jong AZ to win through 1-2 and gain a second success of the campaign.