Liam Duckstein
AZ Alkmaar open their Eredivisie 2026/27 campaign at the AFAS Stadion against Den Haag, and the gap in squad depth between these two sides is hard to ignore. AZ arrive off the back of a stunning 4-0 demolition of PSV, a result that sent a clear message ahead of the domestic season. Den Haag, meanwhile, drew 0-0 with Asteras Tripolis in their most recent outing, offering little in the way of attacking momentum heading into this trip north.
Two players worth watching closely are Ro Zangelo Daal, who contributed a goal and an assist in AZ’s last match, and Weslley Pinto Batista, who also found the net and has looked sharp in recent weeks. Both forwards bring directness and purpose in the final third, and Den Haag’s defense will need to be well-organized to contain them.
The hot stat from AZ’s last match: they registered 22 total shots against PSV while conceding zero goals, combining attacking output with defensive solidity in a way that few sides in the Netherlands can match right now.
| 🏆 Tournament: | Eredivisie 2026/27, Regular Season |
| 🏟 Venue: | AFAS Stadion, Alkmaar |
| 🗓️ Date: | 08.08.2026 |
| ⏰ Time: | 21:00 CEST |
AZ Alkmaar vs Den Haag Prediction
AZ Alkmaar are the clear favorites here, and the bookmakers agree, pricing them at roughly 65% implied probability. Their home record, combined with the quality they showed against PSV and Olympiacos in recent weeks, makes them a side that punishes opponents who sit deep and defend. Den Haag are no pushovers in terms of their win rate this year at 68% across all competitions, but those wins have come largely against lower-ranked opposition. Facing AZ at the AFAS Stadion is a different proposition entirely.
We predict AZ to win this match with some comfort. Coach Lee-Roy Echteld has his squad firing, and the attacking depth on display in recent matches suggests goals will come. Den Haag under Robin Peter have been defensively cautious at times, evidenced by that goalless draw against Asteras Tripolis, but AZ’s volume of shots and forward pressure will test that resolve.
AZ’s disciplined structure is worth noting. In their last recorded match, they committed just 9 fouls and picked up 2 yellow cards, suggesting a controlled, professional approach rather than a reckless one. Their pass accuracy of 552 out of 613 attempted passes reflects a team that moves the ball with purpose and keeps possession well. Den Haag, with no available detail stats from their recent matches, are harder to profile, but their recent results suggest a pragmatic, counter-oriented style. That approach tends to struggle against sides that press high and move quickly, which is exactly what AZ do.
| 🔥Hot Tip: | AZ Alkmaar to score in both halves |
| ⚽Total Goals: | Over 2.5 |
| 💥Both Teams To Score: | No |
| 🎯Total Corners: | Over 8.5 |
Team Analysis
AZ Alkmaar have been in strong form over the past month, winning 4 of their last 6 matches. Their most recent result was that commanding 4-0 win over PSV, a side that had been in reasonable form themselves. Before that, AZ beat Olympiacos 3-2 and dismantled Genk 4-0, showing they can score freely against quality European opposition. Their only blip in this run was a 0-1 home loss to Anderlecht. The underlying numbers from that PSV win are impressive: 22 shots, 9 corner kicks, and a clean sheet. Goals came from Mexx Meerdink, Ro Zangelo Daal, Elijah Dijkstra, and Weslley Pinto Batista, with four different scorers reflecting a genuine threat across the squad.
Den Haag come into this fixture having gone unbeaten in their last three matches across all competitions, though the quality of opposition has varied significantly. Their 4-0 win over Lommel SK and 5-1 demolition of Blantyre Rackow Ottawa came against sides ranked far outside the top 1000 in world club rankings. Their most competitive recent result was a 3-2 win over Mechelen, which showed they can grind out results when pushed. The goalless draw against Asteras Tripolis is more of a concern, as it suggests they may struggle to break down organized defenses when the match tightens up. Coach Robin Peter will need his side to find a way to threaten AZ’s backline if they are to get anything from this trip.
Most Recent Head-to-Head Matches
The most recent head-to-head data between these two sides shows a competitive bookmakers expectation, though AZ are strongly favored at home.
| Statistic | AZ Alkmaar | Den Haag |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 0 | 0 |
🚨Check out our dedicated AZ Alkmaar vs Den Haag stats page for more info.
Pre-game Odds and Win Probability: AZ Alkmaar the Favourite
- Moneyline AZ Alkmaar 1.44 | Den Haag 6.00
- Draw 4.78
- Over/Under Over 2.5 N/A | Under 2.5 N/A
- BTTS (both teams to score) Yes N/A | No N/A
The moneyline odds reflect just how heavily AZ are favored here. At around 1.44 to 1.46 across most books, the market is pricing in a near-certain AZ win. Den Haag at 6.00 to 6.35 is a long shot that only makes sense if you believe their counter-attacking approach can produce something on the break. The draw at 4.60 to 4.90 is fair given how one-sided recent form looks. We see the best value in backing AZ to win, perhaps combined with a goals market, rather than chasing inflated odds on the visitors.
Den Haag. Source: Official Facebook
Possible Starting Lineups
AZ Alkmaar Possible Starting Eleven
- GK: Hobie Verhulst
- DF: Lewis Schouten, Wouter Goes, Elijah Dijkstra, Billy van Duijl
- MF: Dave Kwakman, Peer Koopmeiners, Kees Smit
- FW: Ro Zangelo Daal, Weslley Pinto Batista, Mexx Meerdink
AZ line up in their familiar 4-3-3 shape under Echteld, though the data suggests they have also used a 4-2-3-1 in recent matches. Wouter Goes anchors the defense with confidence, completing 105 passes in the last recorded match. Peer Koopmeiners runs the midfield with an assist to his name and a high pass volume. Up front, the combination of Daal, Batista, and Meerdink gives AZ pace, directness, and goal threat from multiple angles. Troy Parrott and Calvin Stengs provide useful cover from the bench.
Den Haag Possible Starting Eleven
No player data is available for Den Haag’s recent lineups, so we are unable to name a confirmed possible eleven for the visitors at this time.
🏅Tips.GG premium subscription brings you even closer to WIN!🏅
- Gain access to the most profitable bets by using our analysis of over 60,000 monthly predictions from 1000+ sources.
- Premium users enjoy predictions from tipsters with the highest win rate while also gaining access to favorable odds, outcome calculation, and quick filter to favorable odds.
- Unlock the “Golden Bet” – our unique formula for the best high-odd betting opportunities! Get detailed reports on our system’s performance, including Winrate, ROI, and Yield.
AZ Alkmaar. Source: Official Facebook
TipsGG Match Prediction
AZ Alkmaar start the Eredivisie season at home, in form, and with a forward line that has been scoring freely against quality opposition. Their 4-0 win over PSV was not a fluke. The numbers back it up: high shot volume, controlled possession, multiple goal threats, and a clean sheet. Den Haag arrive with a decent recent record, but the level of competition they have faced is nowhere near what AZ will present at the AFAS Stadion.
We predict an AZ Alkmaar win with over 2.5 goals in the match. The home side’s attacking variety and Den Haag’s lack of recent data suggesting any real threat in front of goal points toward a comfortable AZ victory. To be honest, the only real question is the margin, not the winner.
