AZ vs Sparta: Dutch Championship Match Prediction
AZ will host Sparta on January 26 in the 20th round of the Dutch championship. Will the cheese farmers be able to justify their status as favorites and secure a confident victory, or will the Rotterdammers create a sensation and take the points for themselves? In the betting tip, we have analyzed in detail the form in which the teams are approaching the face-to-face meeting and selected the most reliable bets. Which choice will be successful?

Match announcement

AZ Alkmaar

Current form
Before the start of the season, AZ was considered a clear contender for third place and a ticket to the Champions League - the selection of players allowed them to set such ambitious goals. However, so far, Maarten Maartens' team has not lived up to expectations and occupies only sixth place in the table with 34 points, seven points behind third-placed Utrecht, but the competitor has already played its match in the 20th round. This week, the cheese farmers beat Roma 1:0 at home in the Europa League, practically guaranteeing themselves a ticket to the playoffs.
Disqualifications and injuries
Cassius and Westerveld are injured.
Interesting trends for betting
- AZ have not lost in their last 12 matches – eight wins and four draws
- AZ have not lost to Sparta in their last three matches - two wins and a draw
Probable line-up: Owusu-Oduro – Wolfe, Pentera, Goes, Maikuma – Klasie, Mijnans, Kopmeiners – Lado, Mardink, Poku.

Sparta Rotterdam

Current form
Before the start of the season, Sparta was among the contenders for a place in the top eight – the selection of players allowed them to count on fighting for European cups. However, in the first round, Maurice Steyn team frankly failed and is forced to fight for survival, currently located in 16th place in the table. The situation is gradually becoming critical – five points separate the Rotterdam team from the saving 15th place. Having drawn 1:1 with Waalwijk in the last round, Sparta extended its series without victories in all tournaments to 15 matches.
Disqualifications and injuries
The visitors have no problems with their lineup.
Interesting trends for betting
- Sparta have not won in their last 15 matches – eight defeats and seven draws
- Sparta scored against AZ in the last two matches
Probable line-up: Oley - Van Aanholt, Erdhuizen, Meissen, Bakari - Kitolano, Eiting, Mito, Verschuren, Negley - Lauritsen.
Trends
Bet Exact score 3:1
Sparta have achieved two of their last seven home wins with this score
13.00Bet AZ to score in the second half
In Sparta last six home matches, this bet has been successful
1.45Bet Total first half under 1.5 goals
In Sparta last six matches, this bet has been successful
1.41Tip and bets
AZ is forced to play three matches in seven days and certainly today they will not do without rotation, the hosts will not be able to play at one hundred percent of their capabilities. Sparta, without a doubt, will strive to take advantage of this chance and will certainly play openly, the tournament position obliges them to take risks. It will be very difficult for the cheese farmers to play to zero in such a situation, but at the same time, AZ will certainly be determined to win on their home field - an exchange of goals is almost inevitable.
We believe that there will be goals in the match. Betting Tip - both will score . This bet is offered with a coefficient of 1.81
Bet on the outcome
AZ gave a lot of energy on Thursday in the match against Roma and of course, changes in the lineup are inevitable in the conditions of such a tight calendar. However, even with this, the cheese farmers look like absolute favorites - Sparta has been in crisis since the very start of the season, is seriously inferior in class, and traditionally plays hard in Alkmaar. The hosts will also have enough motivation, the fight for third place is in full swing, it makes sense to give preference to the favorite.
Bet - Asian handicap (-1) on AZ. This bet is offered for 1.99
Bet on corners
AZ are the favourites and will probably spend the entire 90 minutes attacking – the home team should win confidently on corners.
Bet - Asian handicap (-2) on corners on AZ. This bet is offered for 1.61