Having ended a two-game winless run in their last involvement, FC Volendam welcome AZ Alkmaar to the Kras Stadion in gameweek 20 of the 2022-23 Eredivisie season.

Meanwhile, AZ will be looking to continue their title charge off the back of dropping points for the first time in four matches last time out.

Match preview

AZ Alkmaar had to make do with a share of the spoils courtesy of a thrilling 5-5 encounter against FC Utrecht at the AFAS Stadion on Saturday.

In a game which saw Anastasios Douvikas and Vangelis Pavlidis both end up with three goals apiece, Maxim Dekker and Mees De Wit were also on the scoresheet for Pascal Jansen's men to cancel out strikes from Nick Viergever and Sander van de Streek.

As a result, the Cheeseheads have missed the opportunity to move level on points with Feyenoord at the top of the Eredivisie table, and they remain in second place.

Up next is the challenge of an opposing outfit who have lost each of the last six meetings between the teams across all competitions dating back to 2003.

Currently on a run of six straight victories away from home either side of the new year, Saturday's visitors will fancy themselves to get the job done on the road once again.

FC Volendam just about saw off the threat of Groningen following a narrow 3-2 victory when the sides went head-to-head on Sunday afternoon.

Wim Jonk's men led 1-0 and 2-1, but they were pegged back on either occasion by Johan Hove and Ricardo Pepi before Robert Muhren grabbed the winner 12 minutes from time.

With a meagre tally of 16 points from their 19 matches this term, Het Nieuwe Oranje sit 15th in the league standings, just a point above the drop zone.

Aiming to make it four straight victories in front of their fans this weekend, Saturday's hosts will be keen to continue their recent upturn in form on home turf as they look to move clear of relegation danger.

Team News

AZ's Sam Beukema has sat out three consecutive matches with a knee problem, and the defender is unavailable for Saturday's contest as well.

The away side will also be without the services of Dani de Wit, while 30-year-old Bruno Martins Indi continues to battle with a hip injury.

Vangelis Pavlidis has found the back of the net seven times in his most recent six outings, and he will be looking to deliver the goods once again.

Robert Muhren marked his return to the starting XI with a crucial winner last time out, which should him retain his place in the lineup here.

Dutchman Benaissa Benamar is still out of contention for the home side through a muscle injury, and he is not expected to play any part in this one.

FC Volendam possible starting lineup:
Stankovic; Plat, Mbuyamba, Mirani, Flint, Murkin; Da Silva, Eiting, Twigt; Muhren, Oristanio

AZ Alkmaar possible starting lineup:
Ryan; Sugawara, Kerkez, Clasie, Chatzidiakos; Vanheusden, Odgaard; Reijnders, Karlsson, Mihailovic; Pavlidis

We say: FC Volendam 1-3 AZ Alkmaar

AZ have been in imperious goalscoring form of late, and we expect that trend to continue here. We are also tipping the away side to stroll to a comfortable victory at the sound of the final whistle.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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