FC Emmen vs AZ Alkmaar Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Emmen couldn’t have expected a better start to their first ever season in the Eredivisie following last weekends 2-1 win over Den Haag, but things are going to be tougher on Sunday when they host AZ Alkmaar. The visitors thrashed Breda 5-0 in their first game of the season, despite losing both of their top scorer in the summer.

Emmen, who have never before played in the top flight of Dutch football, may have surprised even themselves last weekend when they beat established Eredivisie side Den Haag 2-1. Former Groningen youngster Bijl opened the scoring for the visitors in the thirty-seventh minute and there was still time in the first half for Jansen to double their lead via the penalty spot.

Hosts Den Haag saw more of the ball in the second half and created more goal scoring opportunities, but even after Becker had halved the deficit in the sixty-second minute the hosts struggled to break down a resolute Emmen defence and the newly promoted side held on to secure a precious away win.

The Emmen faithful wont get too carried away following that surprise win and neither will the pundits, as a difficult season is still the prognosis for Emmen, but they have already showed they aren’t here to make up the numbers.

AZ Alkmaar claimed third place in the Eredivisie ahead of then reining champions Feyenoord last season, but many thought they would struggle to achieve those same dizzy heights this time around after both of their top scorers were sold during the summer.

However, a 5-0 win over Breda suggests AZ have plenty of goals in them this season, and it was Svensson who got the opener after twenty-six minutes last weekend. Hatzidiakos doubled the home sides lead just four minutes later and before the break Boadu chipped in with a third to end any hopes Breda had of a comeback.

The second forty-five saw Koopmeiners add a fourth goal late on and substitute Johnsen, who has been brought in from Den Haag to score goals, got in on the action with AZ’s fifth and final goal of the game.

There isn’t much history between these two clubs, who have obviously never played one another at this level with this being Emmen’s debut in the Eredivisie, but AZ remain unbeaten in their previous four encounters.

We’re confident that both teams will score in this game as both have started the season brightly. Three of the four meetings between these two clubs have seen both sides score, while both teams have scored in four of Emmen’s last six matches and two of AZ’s last three matches. Emmen have only been beaten in one of their last six matches and we’re backing the hosts to pick up a 2-2 draw at home to AZ this weekend.